Three Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) supported by Sadhguru’s Isha Outreach have received top honours at the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) FPO Excellence Awards, held in New Delhi on October 23. The awards recognise their work to improve farmers’ incomes and build agricultural businesses that can grow and connect with markets. This is the fourth consecutive year that FPOs supported by Isha Outreach have received national recognition at the awards.

Thencherimalai Farmer Producer Company Limited in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, won first place in the Market Linkage Category. Ponnad Farmer Producer Company Limited in Kodagu, Karnataka, won first place in the Technology & Sustainability Category. Senniandavar FPO in Coimbatore received Special Recognition in the Market Linkage Category.

The awards followed a three-stage assessment process that included thousands of FPO applicants from across the country. They recognise the efforts of farmer-led organisations to improve access to markets, follow effective business practices and adopt sustainable farming methods.

Speaking about the award, Selvaraj of Senniyandavar Farmer Producer Company said, “We have been working in association with Isha, and our company has 750 farmer members. We procure coconuts from around 240 farmers and offer them ₹3–₹4 more per coconut or per kilogram than other buyers. This helps increase the income of small and marginal farmers.”

“With Isha’s support, we are confident of establishing market linkages in other states and international markets, enabling us to expand sales of our agricultural produce further,” he added.

Isha Outreach’s Save Soil Farmers’ Movement (SSFM) brings small and marginal farmers together through FPOs. It provides technical, financial and marketing support to help them build profitable businesses owned by farmers. By helping farmers work together, the initiative aims to improve their bargaining power, increase access to markets and support farming businesses that are financially strong and sustainable.

The initiative began in 2013 with the formation of Velliangiri Uzhavan FPO. It has since grown to include 25 FPOs across Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. Together, these FPOs have more than 17,000 farmer members. Of these, 60% are small and marginal farmers and 15% are women. They cultivate more than 54,000 acres across eight districts and over 580 villages. Their crops include 15 varieties, such as coconut, coffee, banana and millets. Together, the FPOs have recorded a total turnover of more than ₹400 crore.