Transformative role of Digital Advisory Services (DAS)

3 - 4 September 2025.  Hyderabad. Samunnati FPO Conclave 2025 in Hyderabad.

This  Conclave 2025 convened over 1,000 Farmer Producer Organizations, agri-businesses, financiers, policymakers, and technology innovators to address the critical challenges confronting agriculture today. Centered around the theme "Partnerships for Sustainability towards a Future-Ready FPO Ecosystem," the conclave aims to foster collaborative action among stakeholders to develop innovative, sustainable solutions. Through shared expertise and partnership-driven approaches, the event seeks to strengthen both environmental resilience and economic viability across the agricultural ecosystem.

Programme first day

1. Inaugural Plenary Session
2. Release of the 5th edition of the State of the Sector Report 2025
3. Special Address: PFRDA + Panel — Making FPOs Enterprise-Ready: Unlocking Scale through Ecosystem & Financial Partnerships
4. Triggering investment in rural enterprises — public policy & private capital
5. Climate-Smart Agriculture in Action 
6. Voices from the Field — Stories of Change & Resilience for the Future 
7. In Talks with Women Leaders — Farmer Collectives 
8. Shaping the Future: Financial Security for Farmer Leaders 
9. Empowering Communities through FPO-led Adoption of Climate-Smart Agri Technologies

Programme second day

1. Perspectives on Agri Marketing — from gram haats to global markets
2. Release of Report: Access SAP report on Social Procurement
3. Agrivoltaics: Solar as the Third Crop
4. Digital Infrastructure for a Future-Ready FPO Ecosystem
5. Transforming Agricultural Systems through Inclusive Digital Advisory Services in India
6. Policy-Finance Linkages to Scale Innovations for Sustainable Horticulture
7. Partnerships for Resilient Value Chains
8. Bridging the gap in access to finance for thriving landscapes & biodiversity conservation

Panel discussion Transforming Agricultural Systems through Inclusive Digital Advisory Services (DAS) in India

by Grameen Foundation India (GFI) 

• Key note presentation by Sarita Mishra, Research Scholar in AgriPath at Grameen foundation India (GFI), whose foundational research guided the conversation.
• Moderator Shatarupa Kashyap, Senior Director Institutional relations and Business development, Lead Agriculture and Livelihood Practices (GFSI) 
• Benjamin Gräub (farmbetter)
• Ruchit G Garg (Harvesting Farmer Network)
• Puja Bhaskar (AgriPath Project, GFI)
• Dr Naresh Shejawal (MH Agristartups & FPO Community)
• Anuj Kumbhat (Weather Risk Management Services)

Key Insights: 

• For Tech Builders: Human-centric design is non-negotiable. The discussion confirmed that features like WhatsApp integration and AI-powered voice notes are essential for making apps accessible to all farmers, especially women, and driving real participation in decision-making.
• For Field Teams & FPOs: Trust is your most valuable asset. The panel emphasized that digital tools must be supported by grassroots engagement and local facilitators to be adopted and effective.
• For Policy Makers & Investors: The future is collaborative. To create scalable impact, we must build a connected ecosystem that integrates with public infrastructure and breaks down data silos.

Launching the DAS Toolkit: 

• The AgriPath Toolkit is a practical guide to support Digital Advisory Services (DAS) implementing organizations to leverage and strengthen agent networks for improved delivery of Digital Advisory Services (DAS) to smallholder farmers.
• this field-tested resource is designed to help development agencies and agritech firms scale inclusive, smartphone-based advisory models.