Amjhara Farmer Producer Company Limited: Empowering Small Farmers and Promoting Millets
Amjhara Farmer Producer Company Limited (AFPC), established in August 2016 with the support of NABARD, has been at the forefront of organizing small and marginal farmers in the Madawara and Talbehat blocks of Lalitpur district, Uttar Pradesh. With over 1,000 farmers, including 375 women, as shareholders, the FPO has become a beacon of hope for rural farmers striving for sustainable agricultural practices and improved livelihoods.
A Bold Vision: Shifting from Monocropping to Millets
The journey of Amjhara FPO began with a daring challenge: to encourage local farmers to grow millets (Shree Anna)—a practice that had long been overshadowed by monocropping, where farmers predominantly grew crops like wheat, urd (pulses), mustard, and matar (peas). In the words of Girja Prasad, the District Coordinator of the FPO project, “It was daring to ask its shareholders to grow millets in the current scenario, where everyone was blindly following monocropping.”
The decision was rooted in the desire to introduce crop diversification and promote natural farming, which would help improve soil health, increase agricultural biodiversity, and reduce dependency on chemical inputs. The FPO also aimed to revive the cultivation of millets such as Jowar, Bajra, Ragi, Kondo, and Sanva, which are resilient crops well-suited for the region’s climate.
With support from Rani Jhansi Central Agriculture University and the Lalitpur Agriculture Department, which provided certified seeds and technical support, the FPO began educating its farmers on the benefits of millets and the practices of multi-cropping. This shift in agricultural practices was not only beneficial for the environment but also for the farmers’ long-term productivity and income.
Success in Numbers: Growing Shree Anna
Today, more than 100 farmers in the Madawara block of Lalitpur district are successfully growing Shree Anna varieties, including Jowar, Bajra, Ragi, Kondo, and Sanva. The FPO leveraged its connections with the Agriculture Department to source quality seeds and distribute them among interested farmers. This move has resulted in improved yields, increased income, and greater agricultural resilience for farmers in the region.
The shift to millets has proven to be a win-win situation. Millets are drought-resistant, nutritious, and have a lower environmental impact compared to other staple crops. This switch is helping local farmers build more resilient agricultural systems, while simultaneously contributing to the promotion of nutritionally-rich food that is climate-smart and sustainable.
Value Addition: From Farm to Market
The FPO’s journey didn’t stop at cultivation; it also focused on adding value to the produce. By collaborating with a local bakery, the FPO ventured into the manufacturing and sale of millet biscuits, a product that has gained popularity in local markets. Additionally, the FPO now produces a variety of millet-based products, including:
- Millet flours (Makka, Jowar, Bajra)
- Wheat flour
- Mustard oil
- Peanut oil
- Pickles
These value-added products not only provide an additional source of income for farmers but also promote the health benefits of millets, which are high in fiber, minerals, and antioxidants. The sale of these products has opened new avenues for farmers to access urban markets, ensuring better prices for their produce.
Ensuring Food Security: Community Grain Banks
In a significant step towards nutritional security, Amjhara FPO has set up one community grain bank, designed to help marginalized rural families store and access food during times of scarcity. These grain banks serve as safety nets, especially during off-seasons or when market prices are too high. The initiative ensures that families do not go hungry and can sustain themselves during lean periods.
This approach of food security not only addresses immediate needs but also contributes to the broader goal of ensuring that rural communities have access to nutritious food all year round. The grain bank initiative underscores the FPO’s holistic approach to community empowerment and rural development.
The Road Ahead: Sustainable Impact
The journey of Amjhara Farmer Producer Company is just beginning, and there are many exciting milestones on the horizon. The FPO is committed to scaling up its operations and expanding its product line to include more value-added products. The ultimate goal is to create a sustainable impact in the lives of farmers, improve the economic resilience of rural communities, and contribute to the promotion of sustainable agriculture in the region.
Through its initiatives, Amjhara FPO is not only empowering smallholder farmers but also encouraging the revival of traditional crops that were once integral to rural agriculture. The success of this FPO serves as a model for others to follow, showing how community-based organizations can drive economic growth, environmental sustainability, and food security in rural India.