Twenty-three farmer members from nine small scale farmers’ organisations (rice, cane sugar, and herbs and spices) joined the three-day Fairtrade NAPP Cluster Meeting from 28 to 30 April 2026 at Bahraich, Uttar Pradesh. The meeting was a concentrated opportunity for the participants to ask pressing questions, close knowledge gaps, and look ahead.

The meeting came at a significant moment for many of these organisations. Several are navigating the complex transition from Contract Producer (CP) arrangements to Small Producer Organisation (SPO) status, a shift that requires legal, governance, and operational changes under national law. Across Uttar Pradesh, producers working in these sectors also face ongoing challenges around price volatility, market visibility, and the administrative demands of Fairtrade certification. The cluster meeting created a structured space to address these challenges directly, with input from NAPP teams and a knowledge exchange session with Samunnati Foundation.

From Sessions to Practical Gains

One of the most practical gains from the three days was a grounded understanding of what the CP to SPO transition actually requires. A dedicated orientation covered the legal framework, governance structures, and documentation steps involved in making this shift. For organisations considering or already in the process of transitioning, this gave them a clearer picture of what is expected of them and how to organise their path forward.

Participants also worked through a hands-on demonstration of Fair Insights, Fairtrade NAPP's data management platform, led by MEL specialist Danish Shah. Rather than abstract explanation, producers were walked through how the platform processes data in practice, building confidence in submitting timely and accurate information. This matters directly for Fairtrade Premium management and Fairtrade Development Plan (FDP) planning, two areas where gaps in reporting affect organisations' ability to plan and invest their Fairtrade Premium effectively.

A knowledge exchange session with Samunnati Foundation offered producers a practical lens on FPO (Farmer Producer Organisation) governance, from the internal processes that make organisations function well to the legal obligations around registration with India's Register of Companies. For many participants, this was a useful moment to reflect on their own governance practices and understand what compliance with national laws requires.

NAPP's Marketing and Communications team presented on how producer organisations can improve their market visibility by sharing information about their products and practices through relevant channels. The link between documentation, communications, and buyer interest is not always obvious to organisations focused on production, and this session drew that connection clearly.

The Gender and Youth thematic update opened pathways for future participation, with participants identifying and nominating members for upcoming NAPP programmes. Rice-producing organisations also discussed potential areas for collaboration with private and government institutions, a conversation facilitated by NAPP's fundraising and partnership team.

Following the meeting, participants visited operations at NBFL Bhinga and Katraniyaghat, connecting the sessions' discussions to the realities of production and supply chain management in the region.

Skills and Understanding Built Through the Meeting

• What the CP to SPO transition involves in practice

A dedicated orientation covered the specific legal, governance, and operational requirements of transitioning from Contract Producer to Small Producer Organisation status, giving participants a clear picture of the steps involved and what meeting SPO eligibility criteria looks like under national law.

• Using Fair Insights for data management and Fairtrade Premium planning

A hands-on demonstration of the Fair Insights platform, led by Danish Shah of NAPP's MEL team, built participants' practical ability to submit timely and accurate data, with direct implications for Fairtrade Premium management and Fairtrade Development Plan planning.

• FPO governance and obligations under national law

A knowledge exchange with Samunnati Foundation helped producers revisit how their Farmer Producer Organisations operate, understand their due diligence responsibilities, and consider their obligations toward registration with India's Register of Companies.

• The link between documentation, communications, and market access

Participants gained an understanding of how maintaining accurate documentation and communicating actively about their products and organisations can attract buyers and improve visibility with market stakeholders.

• Identifying opportunities for cross-sector collaboration

Rice-producing organisations discussed areas where they could explore collaboration with private and government institutions, a potential avenue for new partnerships and funding opportunities that NAPP's fundraising team identified for follow-up.

Voices from the Activity

What Comes Next

Follow-up virtual meetings are planned to continue work on priority agenda items raised at the cluster meeting. Participants who were nominated during the meeting will be engaged in upcoming NAPP gender, youth, and thematic programmes.

Incorporating FPO governance learning into Fairtrade Development Plans is being discussed as a way to extend this orientation to producer organisation members who were not present in Bahraich, including through exposure visits. This would make the governance learning accessible at the level of individual organisations and communities where it has the most practical relevance.

Fairtrade NAPP will continue to follow up with the nine participating organisations through direct visits and virtual check-ins, supporting the practical next steps that emerged from three days of discussion in Bahraich.