About Us
We are a bunch of senior agribusiness professionals with decades of association in dealing with farmers and their collectives in both the input and output in the farm sector. It is our collective observation that the farmers receive a great deal of support in production, some extent on post harvest and very little support in negotiating a fair price. The market systems offer channel options to liquidate their production but not at prices negotiated but what is handed out. Absence of fair trade is visible but is never taken cognisance of; one key issue is the absence of farmer owned marketing organisations like in the case of milk, besides of course regulatory gaps.
FPO Market Linkages Foundation incorporated under Sec 8 of the Companies Act, as a not for profit organisation in 2021, with the intent of a) setting up a marketing organisation for fruits and vegetables for the benefit of farmer producer companies and b) take up policy advocacy work in promoting fair trade practices in agricultural markets.
Vision
Farmer First
Secure the right of farmers at the Market.
Our Founders
We are a bunch of senior agribusiness professionals with decades of association in dealing with farmers and their collectives in both the input and output in the farm sector. Agribusiness and Mother Dairy being the common link amongst us, each of us have decades of professional work in the sector
Ravishankar Natarajan
CXO in agri & e-spot trade (NDDB/MCX); since 2015, consulting for World Bank in India & Africa.
Lakshmipriyan V G
Led Dairy & F&V at Amul, Safal, Walmart; founded FarmFolks & FarmEthos; now consulting with agri orgs like ICCOA & more.
Imtiaz Baig
40+ years with India/EU corporates, building strong teams & systems; now offering HRD advisory services.
Narasimha Nakshathri
40 years in agri & co-op dev with NDDB, Birla, Metro; BOD in startups, President – Grahak Panchayath, Karnataka.
Nagarajan Sivaramakrishnan
Leadership across FMCG/Agri over 4 decades, with deep insight into execution & strategy in value chains.
Ravishankar Natarajan
An alumnus of TNAU Coimbatore, UAS Bangalore and IIMA, hold a Masters in Agri.(1978), and PG Dip in Management (1980). About 40 years of professional work in agribusiness industry in senior leadership roles in fertiliser, hybrid seed industry, electronic spot exchange and international agri trade in India and overseas. Since 2015, as consultant with international agencies as consultant in agri e-markets, market reforms, FPO institution building and value chain development. Founded FPO Market Linkage Foundation in 2021, with vision of Farmer First, mobilising opinion in support of introducing fair trade practices and policies in agricultural markets and support growth of farmer business collectives into mainstream.
Email : fairtrade2020india@gmail.com
Nagarajan Sivaramakrishnan
Leadership positions across functions and business in FMCG/Agri based categories over the last four decades has helped develop a nuanced appreciation of execution and strategic issues in value chains.
Lakshmipriyan V G
Leadership roles in Dairy at Amul, F&V at Safal Market and Bharti Walmart. Founded Agri Startups FarmFolks & FarmEthos. Now also into consulting assignments with ICCOA, KrishiKan, Gourmet Garden, Asanjo Agri PV and others
Email : priyan@farmfolks.in
Prof. Narasimha Nakshathri Karkada
Mr Nakshathri is a seasoned Agri/Horti specialist, having more than 4 decades of strategic
expertise in agri extension, co-operative development and agri supply chain management. Experience of working at NDDB during the days of late Dr Kurien, reflected in his pioneering work in SAFAL Growers Associations in one of the early attempts at collectively marketing vegetables by farmers.
Mr.Nakshathri is known for his contributions in building fresh produce supply chain systems across the country, as National Head at Aditya Birla Retail and Metro Cash & Carry India
Mr. Nakshathri is the currently co-chair of Food Processing Experts Committee of Bangalore Chamber of Industry & Commerce and is also the President of Akhil Bhartiya Grahak Panchayat, Karnatak Prant. He serves as mentor for upcoming entrepreneurs as the Founding Director -Agri Intelligence India Pvt Ltd., as Board Advisor-Sahaja Sambuddha Organic Producers Company, as Sr. Director-FreshOn.in
Mr Nakshatri is one of the founding members of FPOMLF, has been actively involved in setting our direction and focus.
Email : nakshatri6656@gmail.com
Imtiaz Baig
Over 40 years with large corporates in India and Europe enabling teams evolve into successful enterprises in a competitive yet complimenting association as internal process owners. Presently, offer HRD advisory services.
Email : imtiazbaig@yahoo.com