Embedding Digital Payments for FPOs

Embedding Digital Payments in Agri-business Operations of 40 FPOs

CDFI partnered with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) to embed digital payments into the daily agri-business activities of 40 Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs). Through the KANCHI platform, farmers in Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh can now access input centres, record sowing data, sell produce, and make digital payments, transforming how FPOs operate at the grassroots.
33,800
+
farmers onboarded across Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh
₹1 CR
+
worth of digital payments processed
Region
Uttar Pradesh & Tamil Nadu
Start Date
Status
Lead Partner
Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY)
Benefeciaries
Farmers across 40 FPOs in UP and TN

More than 17,600 farmers made their first-ever digital agri-business payment through KANCHI, unlocking trust, ease, and transparency in transactions.

Initial problem

Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY)

CDFI developed and deployed the KANCHI platform, a mobile and web-based tool to digitise agri-business operations for farmer collectives. From selling seeds and fertilisers to aggregating produce and enabling secure payments, KANCHI bridges technology with the needs of rural farmers. The platform also supports AEPS, PoS-based payments, and real-time reporting for FPO management and government visibility.

The solution we implemented

Success of our implementation of KANCHI

Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY), launched on 31st December 2016 envisions to provide cash incentive amounting to ₹5,000 directly to the Bank/ Post Office Account of Pregnant Women and Lactating Mothers (PW&LM) during pregnancy and lactation period

Digital Access for 33,800+ Farmers

Over 14,200 farmers in UP and 19,600 in TN were onboarded to the platform, with access to digital tools for transactions, sowing, and sales.

₹1+ Crore in Digital Transactions

More than 26,000 transactions related to inputs like fertilisers and seeds were recorded, totalling over ₹1 crore in value.

From Land to Market

KANCHI enabled the aggregation of 7,02,500+ kg of raw coconut, 2,75,500+ kg of maize, and 3,50,000+ kg of small onions, helping farmers sell efficiently.

Built for inclusion. Delivered for continuity.

Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY), launched on 31st December 2016 envisions to provide cash incentive amounting to ₹5,000 directly to the Bank/ Post Office Account of Pregnant Women and Lactating Mothers (PW&LM) during pregnancy and lactation period

Farmer-Facing, Field-Tested

KANCHI was piloted with 40 FPOs across two states, tested through real-world agri-business operations, and designed for offline-first environments.

Digitally Enabled Infrastructure

40 PoS machines were deployed, AEPS was integrated, and video campaigns helped train farmers on using cards, QR codes, and biometric payments.

Dashboard-Driven Governance

A live portal was developed to display real-time visualisations of FPO transactions, now actively used by MeitY and partners. kanchi.cdfi.co.in

Features of the Implementation

Web and mobile platform for FPO management
AEPS, QR, PoS-based payment options
Input sales and inventory tracking
Produce aggregation and procurement workflows
Digital sowing and land data records
Farmer onboarding and KYC capture
Dashboard for analytics and monitoring

Benefits of the Implementation

Reduces cash dependency in rural agri-transactions
Brings financial inclusion to first-time digital users
Enables better tracking of FPO operations
Streamlines procurement and inventory flows
Builds farmer trust through transparent transactions

How the solution bought an impact of scale

Pregnant and lactating mothers benefitted
15
MN+
Pregnant and lactating mothers benefitted
15
MN+
Pregnant and lactating mothers benefitted
15
MN+
Awards and Recognitions

Research

Meghalaya government won the Skoch Award. The award was won in theGold category to Improve Social Parameters’ in the state’s South West Garo Hills region.

Research

Meghalaya government won the Skoch Award. The award was won in theGold category to Improve Social Parameters’ in the state’s South West Garo Hills region.

Research

Meghalaya government won the Skoch Award. The award was won in theGold category to Improve Social Parameters’ in the state’s South West Garo Hills region.

Research

Meghalaya government won the Skoch Award. The award was won in theGold category to Improve Social Parameters’ in the state’s South West Garo Hills region.