30/04/2026
Prof. Shambu Prasad Chebrolu, Professor, IRMA, "Tribhuvan" Sahkari University, has been featured as an expert contributor in The Business of Agrobiodiversity: Tapping Farmer Producer Organizations (Varshney & Chauhan, 2026), a new report by the Centre for Science and Environment, New Delhi. The study examines ten FPOs working with indigenous crop varieties across India and identifies policy gaps limiting their effectiveness.
In his commentary, Prof. Prasad drew on IRMA's research through the book Farming Futures to ask whether enabling conditions exist for FPOs to become sustainable transition intermediaries. He highlighted that reaching premium markets for indigenous varieties may require complementary social enterprises alongside FPOs, and identified the state as the most underutilized buyer - arguing that even sourcing indigenous varieties for midday meal schemes one day a week could anchor meaningful demand for farmers.
The report recommends a national policy framework for indigenous crops, dedicated market platforms, simplified seed certification, and ecosystem service payments for FPOs engaged in biodiversity conservation.
The link to the report: https://www.cseindia.org/the-business-of-agrobiodiversity-tapping-farmer-producer-producer-organizations-13086
