Growing Together, Learning Together

Matir Kotha Farmer Producer Company, located in Banshi, Bankura, brings together 462 shareholders who cultivate a diverse range of crops including paddy, potato, sweet potato, groundnut, and vegetables. Over the years, the FPC has grown into a strong farmer collective, securing better markets, improving production practices, and enhancing the livelihoods of its members.

A key driver of this progress has been the interventions of SwitchON Foundation, which has played a central role in shaping both the organizational and economic journey of Matir Kotha FPC. SwitchON has facilitated crucial market linkages with reputed organizations such as IFFCO, Astha, Agrocels Industries Pvt. Ltd., Saha Steel Pvt. Ltd., e-NAM, and Pallishree Pvt. Ltd. These partnerships have ensured stable buyer networks and better price realization for the farmers. The FPC has also participated in buyer–seller meets at Kolkata Science City and Delhi, and undertaken exposure visits to Jhargram Binpur and Nadia, all enabled through SwitchON’s support.

Beyond market opportunities, SwitchON has invested significantly in capacity building. Farmers have received training on CRA Orientation and Input Preparation, equipping them with scientific and sustainable agricultural techniques. Encouragingly, nearly 50% of the members have already adopted these practices and are implementing them on a regular basis, resulting in improved productivity and better resource management.

From Knowledge to Prosperity

SwitchON has also facilitated scheme linkages, ensuring that FPC members benefit from government support. Through programs such as FSSM, RKVY, and MIDH, farmers have received sprinkler pipes, saplings, seeds, and even infrastructure like potato net houses. These schemes, combined with collective strength, have enabled members to reduce input costs, improve crop quality, and diversify their income streams.

The impact of these interventions is visible in the company’s financial performance. Matir Kotha FPC has achieved an annual turnover of approximately ₹60 lakh, a testament to the growing strength of its market presence and the effectiveness of SwitchON’s integrated approach to training, linkages, and capacity building.

Today, Matir Kotha FPC stands as a model farmer collective in the region. Its progress highlights how the right blend of knowledge, market access, and institutional support—anchored by SwitchON Foundation—can transform rural farming communities, increase farmer incomes, and create long-term resilience.