9 months ago
Hospitality Sector Urged to Partner with FPOs
The government wants hotels and restaurants to work directly with Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs).
This means hotels can get fresh, healthy food, and farmers can earn more money.
There are about 40,000 FPOs in India, and a recent meeting showed many special foods like saffron and honey.
The idea is to cut out middlemen so everyone benefits.
This will help farmers and make the food in hotels better and more sustainable.
The hospitality industry is urged to form direct, long-term partnerships with Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) to ensure access to high-quality agricultural produce.
Devesh Chaturvedi, Secretary of Agriculture, emphasized that such collaborations would boost farmers' incomes and enable hotels to source premium, chemical-free ingredients.
India has nearly 40,000 FPOs, many of which offer produce that aligns with the hospitality sector’s demand for clean, safe, and sustainable food.
Suman Billa, Additional Secretary of Tourism, called for a fast-tracked, structured farmer–hotel partnership architecture to uplift rural livelihoods and strengthen tourism-driven value chains.
The summit featured an exhibition with 50 FPOs from 17 States showcasing regional and GI-tagged products like yellow tea, Kashmiri mamra almonds, and Himalayan saffron.
- Who
- Devesh Chaturvedi, Secretary, Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare; Suman Billa, Additional Secretary & Director General, Ministry of Tourism
- What
- Call for direct, structured, and long-term partnerships between the hospitality industry and Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs)
- Where
- FPO–Hospitality & Farmers’ Benefit Summit 2025, organized by FHRAI
- When
- November 25, 2025
- Why
- To ensure consistent access to high-quality agricultural produce, boost farmers’ incomes, and enable hotels to source premium, chemical-free ingredients
Key facts
- Event
- FPO–Hospitality & Farmers’ Benefit Summit 2025
- Organizer
- Federation of Hotel & Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI)
- Speakers
- Devesh Chaturvedi, Suman Billa
- FPOs in India
- 40,000
- FPOs at Summit
- 50 from 17 States
- Key Products Showcased
- Yellow tea, Kashmiri mamra almonds, Himalayan saffron, makhana, black turmeric, forest honey, katarni rice, Kandhamal haldi
- Date
- November 25, 2025
Quotes
Devesh Chaturvedi
Secretary, Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare
“Farmers continue to face an inverted pricing cycle—buying inputs at retail prices but selling produce at wholesale—an imbalance that can be corrected only through direct procurement partnerships with hotels.”
thehindubusinessline.com
“Such partnerships would reduce middlemen, secure supply chains, raise farmer profitability, and enable the hospitality sector to expand GDP contribution and employment.”
thehindubusinessline.com
Suman Billa
Additional Secretary & Director General, Ministry of Tourism
“India needs a fast-tracked, structured farmer–hotel partnership architecture. Such a model will accelerate the government’s vision while uplifting rural livelihoods and strengthening tourism-driven value chains.”
thehindubusinessline.com
