Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) has dovetailed management training for Chief Executive Officers and Board of Directors of Farmer Producer Organisations under its ambit through ‘networking cum discussion meetings’ on alternate Saturdays.

Last year, the CEOs of 112 FPOs adopted by the TNAU were exposed to book-keeping, governance and management by experts.

The fortnightly discussion meetings are targeted at FPOs under major classifications: Coconut, fruit and vegetables, rice, maize, pulses, and oilseeds, said D. Suresh Kumar, Director, Centre for Agricultural and Rural Development Studies, TNAU.

The TNAU’s research centres, Krishi Vigyan Kendras, affiliated colleges and other units that have adopted the FPOs have been receiving encouraging feedback, Prof. Suresh Kumar said.

The Tamil Nadu Policy for Promotion of FPOs brought out by the Department of Agricultural Marketing and Agri Business takes cognisance of the lack of sanguine ecosystem for organisational support to FPOs.

The policy has identified challenges related to mobilisation, organisational cohesion, statutory compliance, entrepreneurial capacity, business and marketing acumen and strategy, and financial resources, in the process of transforming FPOs from start-up stage to mature business entities.

There are FPOs under the purview of the TNAU that are also supported by Department of Agricultural Marketing and Agri Business, NABARD, SFAC (Small Farmers’ Agribusiness Consortium), Tamil Nadu Small Farmers Agri-Business Consortium, Tamil Nadu State Rural Livelihoods Mission and other agencies, Prof. Suresh Kumar said.

The hand-holding support by the TNAU is meant to equip the FPOs to mobilise funds for different purposes: working capital, infrastructure development, business expansion and other expenditure throughout the economic life cycle.

The management training is meant to ensure that alongside the increase in the scale of operations, the FPOs are placed in a position to fulfil management of interpersonal skills, conflict management, shareholder engagement, and team management.

The FPOs registered under the Companies Act are facilitated to comply with the various statutory norms and regulatory requirements like obtaining licences for inputs, and market committee registration.