Reliance Foundation (RF), RIL’s philanthropic arm, has been recognised for its outstanding contribution in supporting and promoting Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) in India. RF received this recognition at the Krishi Pragati Awards 2017, instituted by the National Commodities Derivatives Exchange (NCDEX). Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal, Union Minister of State for Finance and Corporate Affairs, gave RF the award for ‘Outstanding Contribution by Resource Institution for Promoting FPOs’. Since its inception in 2010, RF has formed 19 FPOs – better known as RF Producer Companies (PCs) – to empower farmers across the country.
NCDEX, one of the largest exchanges for agricultural commodities in India, instituted the Krishi Pragati Awards this year to felicitate organisations that are making a significant impact in the field of agriculture and agrarian lifestyles. RF was one of three organisations chosen as winners for extending exemplary philanthropic support to agriculturists.
RF also received a second distinction at the award ceremony, with the Jamwa Ramgarh Krishak Producer Company Ltd (JKPCL) – a PC which was formed with RF support – bagging the award for Best Upcoming FPO, for its role in improving the livelihoods and incomes of small and marginal farmers. The award was handed over to the PC’s representatives by Shri Ram Vilas Paswan, Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution.
PCs are institutions formed through RF support that empower marginal farmers by linking them directly to the market, and providing them a platform from which to collectivise, aggregate and sell their produce profitably and sustainably. They help marginal farmers create and maintain a network of market contacts and sell their produce directly in the market, thus obviating the need for middlemen. Farmers enrolled with PCs sell their farm produce and other agricultural inputs such as fertilisers and seeds at better prices. The PCs also provide farmers irrigation equipment at subsidised rates and train farmers on sustainable agricultural practices. PCs were formed under RF’s flagship Bharat India Jodo (BIJ) programme, which promotes sustainable agricultural practices and helps farmers increase their productivity and their incomes.
About Reliance Foundation: Reliance Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Reliance Industries Limited, aims to play a catalytic role in addressing the nation’s development challenges through innovative and sustainable solutions. Led by Founder and Chairperson Smt. Nita Ambani, Reliance Foundation is relentlessly working towards facilitating transformative changes to ensure overall well-being and higher quality of life for all. Among India’s largest social initiatives, the Foundation is focused on addressing the nation’s development challenges in areas of Rural Transformation, Education, Health, Sports for Development, Disaster Response, Urban Renewal, and Arts, Culture and Heritage. The Foundation has touched the lives of more than 12 million people across India, in more than 12,500 villages and several urban locations.
