“Tarang”, the grand FPO Mela being held at Kochi’s Rena Event Hub & Convention Centre was inaugurated by Dr. Gopakumaran Nair G, Chief General Manager, NABARD. The exhibition cum mela envisages bringing together Farmers and the end consumers on one platform. The mela is being held from 23 Februray 2024 to 25 February 2024 is conducted with the financial support of NABARD and facilitation by ONDC and SFAC.

Around 40 stalls are arranged for Farmer’s Producers Organisations (FPOs) to display and sell their products directly to the end consumer, thereby eliminating middlemen. Although farmers are our Annadata and backbone of our economy, they are exploited and are forced to sell their produce at throw away prices, while end consumers end up paying high inflated prices.

FPOs are companies formed by farmers, pooling in small amounts as share capital for collecting & aggregating produce of member farmers. FPOs enable framers to collectively bargain with wholesalers for better prices and even process or sell the value added products at supermarkets to end consumers, thereby eliminating middlemen who otherwise, buy the produce from individual farmers at distress values. Being a legal entity, FPOs open the way to gain credit facility, utilize govt schemes to create and establish common facility centres, provide inputs, advisory support and provide a marketing channel to farmers.

Now, Govt. of India has started a new initiative, ONDC Portal, which is an interoperable online platform, where the end customers can directly purchase from the FPOs or sellers, with no hidden cost. Farmers can gain real value of their produce only when their enterprises like FPOs and products are promoted. The aim of “Tarang” is to popularize the ONDC platform and also familiarize the public about the activities of FPOs and product range available. From fresh vegetables to organic tooth powder , a wide variety of products such as Chips/fried items, Pineapple, mango, jackfruit, tapioca processed /ready to eat items, millets, frozen food items, spices, curry powders, palm jaggery, original tribal honey, chocolates, kombucha, natural beauty products etc., are available for purchase, right from the farm. Entry is free and lucky draw will be conducted among buyers. Radio Mirchi is the media partner of the mela.