Kolkata, 9th March, 2024: The second day of the Move for Earth symposium was marked by a dynamic Buyer-Seller Meet organized by SwitchON Foundation in partnership with West Bengal State Rural Livelihoods Mission (WBSRLM), GoWB and in collaboration with Grant Thorton Bharat and IIM Calcutta Innovation Park to create a platform for the buyers and the sellers to interact and discuss on the possible market linkages. The exhibition was participated by around 50 buyers including Grains Global, NACOF India Ltd., Rainbow Organic, National Seed Corporation, Amul and 60 seller groups comprising FPOs and SHGs.

The inaugural session was addressed by  Professor Chitranjan Kole, Chairman, PCKFSS (Prof. Chittaranjan Kole Foundation for Science and Society) & Former Vice Chancellor, BCKV along with other distinguished guests like Shri. Subrata Mandal– Ex CGM  NABARD, Shri. Partha Mondal, General Manager, NABARD Kolkata RO, Shri. Amit Saha– State Project Manager Livelihood, WBSRLM and Ms Ekta Jaju, Co-founder, SwitchON Foundation.

Shri. Amit Saha, State Project Manager Livelihood, WBSRLM said, “The Buyer Seller Meet aims to provide a platform to the FPOs and SHGs consisting of progressive farmers and women groups of the state to establish marketing linkages and become sustainable on a long term basis. The Buyer Seller interaction is essential to create a conducive environment for their development.”

To provide a platform to the rural communities, especially the women led enterprises,  the  Buyer Seller Meet was organized to bridge the gap between farmers, Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), and Self Help Groups (SHGs) with potential buyers. This buyer-seller meet  provided a platform for the rural community to showcase the diverse range of agri and agri allied products and services originating from the state. The event featured exhibition stalls where participants displayed their agricultural produce like Rice, Oil seeds, Potato, Tea, Millets, Pulses, Spices etc. agri-based products, and services related to farming and allied sectors. In addition to showcasing agricultural produce, the Buyer Seller Meet also featured a dedicated section for Handicrafts and other Agri allied Products like Handloom textiles, Jute products, Broom, Medicinal plants and many others. Around 60 seller groups comprising FPOs and SHGs from various districts like Purulia, Bankura, Dakshin Dinajpur, Nadia, Purba Bardhaman, Hooghly and South 24 Parganas participated in the Meet.

Buyers like Amul, Rainbow Organic, Reliance, National Seed Corporation, Magisai Traders, Kailasam International, NACOF India Ltd and many others got the opportunity to explore the quality and variety of products, while sellers gained valuable feedback and insights into market demands. During the buyer-seller meet, buyers provided a letter of interest in buying an approximate of 14625 MT of the produce amounting to Rs. 44 crores which spread across products like rice varieties, pulses, millets, oilseeds, turmeric, jaggery, honey, black cumin, maize etc. This highlights the dynamic and fruitful connections forged between the buyers and sellers. 

Ms Ekta Jaju, Co-founder, SwitchON Foundation stated, “We are committed to raise the income and well being of the rural community especially the rural women. This buyer-seller meet helped  to bridge the gap between farmers, Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), and Self Help Groups (SHGs) with potential buyers opening doors to new markets for the farmers and ensuring a sustainable business relationship.”

Additionally, the Symposium also featured thought provoking roundtables and skill enhancing workshops for the farmers and FPOs. This symposium brought together diverse stakeholders, including government, industry leaders, students, academia, NGOs, farmers, rural women entrepreneurs, FPOs, SHGs, and paved the way for an inclusive and impactful dialogue. Around 500 people from across West Bengal joined theSymposium. 

The Move for Earth Symposium witnessed a dynamic exchange of ideas through a series of engaging roundtable discussions and hands-on workshops, amplifying the spirit of collaboration and innovation across diverse sectors. The roundtable on “Promoting Regenerative Agriculture Amongst Smallholder Farmers,” brought together leaders and experts exploring sustainable practices to enhance resilience in agriculture. Another pivotal discussion addressed the urban challenge of air quality, as experts gathered for “Clean Air Zones in Cities” to strategize and implement measures for healthier urban environments. In the spirit of inclusivity, the symposium featured a compelling panel discussion titled “Inclusive Path to Sustainability: Gender, Governance, and Climate Change,” unraveling the interconnected dynamics shaping a sustainable future.

Participants immersed themselves in hands-on learning experiences during several workshops. The “Do It Yourself: Bio Enzyme” workshop provided practical insights into crafting bio enzymes for everyday use, promoting sustainable alternatives. Another workshop delved into “Financing Opportunities for Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs),” guiding attendees on securing financial support for sustainable agricultural practices. For those focused on amplifying market presence, the workshop on “Effective Marketing Techniques for FPOs and SHGs” equipped participants with tools to enhance the visibility of agricultural and allied products. Lastly, a hands-on session on “Multi-Layer Vegetable Farming and Pest Management” unveiled techniques for optimizing yields while minimizing environmental impact.

Shri. Subrata Mandal, Ex CGM  NABARD said, “Out of 71.2 lakh farmer families in West Bengal, 96% farmers are small and marginal. One third of the total produce of the farmer is retained by them and two thirds are taken by the middle men. So farmers are in huge distress for not getting a remunerative price for their produce. So, there is a need to aggregate their inputs through FPOs. I congratulate SwitchON Foundation for conducting this buyer-seller meet for the well being and livelihood of the rural communities.” 

Move For Earth Symposium is an annual event hosted by SwitchON Foundation that serves as a pivotal platform, uniting leaders, government officials, non-profits, investors, academia, and grassroots communities to engage in insightful discussions on Inspiring Climate Action. The purpose is to Foster collaboration to inspire climate action and strategies towards achieving a net-zero economy.

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