Cooperation Minister Amit Shah on Friday said the contribution of agriculture and allied sectors to the country's GDP can further be enhanced by strengthening marketing, for which farmer producer organisations (FPOs) are the key.
Addressing a conclave here, the Minister said agriculture can become a profitable venture if modern technology and marketing methods are adopted. Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) and FPOs can help in this endeavour.
He urged both FPOs and PACS to operate in a "hybrid model" under which around 11,770 FPOs that have already been set up can link themselves with PACS through an agreement to provide services to cooperative members. Existing 65,000-odd PACS can begin operating as FPOs. Stressing the need to work in a hybrid model, Mr. Shah said, "GDP (Gross Domestic Produce) is very important for any country. If you increase GDP through manufacturing, the job creation will not be much. If you strengthen agriculture and allied sector through cooperatives, not only GDP but job opportunities will also increase."
