The MoC signing ceremony took place in New Delhi in the esteemed presence of prominent dignitaries including Shri Surya Pratap Shahi, Hon’ble Minister of Agriculture, Uttar Pradesh and Honda India Foundation Trustees namely Mr. Vinay Dhingra and Mr. Katsuyuki Ozawa. Representatives from Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India (HMSI), Honda India Power Products (HIPP) and Honda Cars India Ltd. (HCIL) were also present, highlighting Honda’s collaborative approach to rural development.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Vinay Dhingra, Trustee, Honda India Foundation, said, “At Honda India Foundation, we are dedicated to empowering rural communities and enhancing agricultural productivity, aligning seamlessly with the Government of India’s vision as also reflected in the 2025 Union Budget. Initiatives such as the Prime Minister Dhan-Dhanya Krishi Yojana, the mission for Atmanirbharta in Pulses, and ensuring fair prices for farmers resonate with our objectives. Our efforts to strengthen Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) through Project Annadata are in harmony with these priorities as we work towards improving resource access and create a resilient agricultural ecosystem that will benefit farmers at scale. This collaboration will enable us to create a meaningful impact at the grassroot. We will continue to contribute towards the development of a more resilient and prosperous agricultural ecosystem.”

Under this initiative, HIF, through its implementation partner, will onboard and strengthen 10 FPOs across two clusters of 5 FPOs each, focusing on systematic evaluations, capacity-building initiatives, business planning and operational enhancements. This association aims to provide technical handholding to ensure smooth FPO operations and the adoption of modern agricultural practices. The initiative aims to engage with farmers, youth, environmental advocates, educational institutes, policymakers, non-profit organizations, and other stakeholders who are committed to fostering long-term sustainable practices and preserving the resources for future generations. The project is expected to reach over 1 lakh people in its initial phase, with the potential to impact 10 lakh individuals associated with agriculture in the long run.

Honda’s corporate philosophy is founded on the fundamental principles of “Respect for the Individual” and the “Three Joys” to support Honda’s universal passion: to improve the quality of people’s daily lives. The FPO initiative is a part of HIF’s broader commitment to community development and rural empowerment, reinforcing its role as a responsible corporate entity contributing to India’s economic progress.

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Organized by Department of Horticulture and Farmers’ Empowerment, Govt. of Odisha in collaboration with Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT), Bhubaneswar, Odisha FPO Conclave 2024 has been a platform with a diverse array of stakeholders, including policy makers, Implementing Agencies, CBBOs, Banks and Financial Institutions, Institutional buyers, Ag-Tech solution providers, Academicians, Industry Experts, Agribusiness Market Players and FPO representatives to deliberate on strategies to enhance market access, positioning Odisha as the hub of agribusiness opportunities through FPOs in eastern part of India. Palladium Consulting India Private Limited was the technical and knowledge partner for the event.

The Conclave was envisaged as a state forum to engage in dialogue among ecosystem stakeholders to accelerate the business transformation of FPOs. More than 500 participants from FPOs across the state in 30 districts participated in the Conclave.

Dr. Arabinda Kumar Padhee, IAS, The Principal Secretary, Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment addressed the gathering and provided an overview of agriculture and allied sector landscape in Odisha. He further highlighted “The need for collective marketing and focus on value-addition for farmers in the state and the role of FPOs in achieving the same, while emphasizing on the importance of private partnerships for growth of FPOs.

The Vice Chancellor of OUAT highlighted “The collaborative efforts between OUAT and the Department of Horticulture, particularly in bolstering support for FPOs through direct engagement of Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) and the participation of Agribusiness Management students in research endeavours aimed at strengthening FPO ecosystems.”

Officials from NABARD, ORMAS, NAFED, SBI were invited to the Conclave who interacted with the FPOs during various technical sessions. Sector experts, leaders, and academicians from PRADAN, IPFRI, LEAF, Digital Green, Ninjakart, Sahaydri Farms, Access Development Services, ORIGIN, ISB, Dehaat, Debra Agribusiness FPCL, Farmology, Kalgudi Digital Private Limited, Kisan Saathi, Lawrencedale Agro Processing India Pvt Ltd, Mayurbhanj Grand Pvt Ltd., NEML, Samunnati Finance, Semina Agro Pvt Ltd., Skill Greens, Bank of Baroda, Academicians, from OUAT participated in the Conclave.

The Conclave provided a platform for attendees to forge new partnerships, exchange ideas, and explore collaboration opportunities. The breakthrough event facilitated knowledge exchange and market exploration and enabled ecosystem players to engage in dialogues with sector experts.

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