Deadline: 30-Jun-2026
The SBI Foundation SBIF LEAP programme funds non-profit organisations in India to strengthen Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) and build sustainable agri-enterprises. Grants range from ₹50 lakh to ₹5 crore for 1–3 year projects focused on governance, market access, value addition, and capacity building. The programme targets eastern Indian states including Sikkim, Bihar, West Bengal, and Jharkhand.
SBIF LEAP Programme Overview
The SBIF LEAP: Development of Community Institutes through FPO initiative is a CSR funding programme designed to transform Farmer Producer Organizations into strong, market-oriented, and financially sustainable institutions.
It focuses on building long-term agricultural enterprise capacity, improving farmer livelihoods, and strengthening rural value chains across India.
Purpose and Objectives of the Programme
The programme aims to:
- Strengthen Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) as business-driven institutions
- Improve governance, compliance, and financial management systems
- Enhance agribusiness and value chain capabilities
- Increase market access and commercial viability of FPOs
- Promote value addition, processing, and product diversification
- Enable digital transformation of agricultural operations
- Improve access to finance, schemes, and institutional support
- Build long-term sustainability of rural agri-enterprises
The core objective is to shift FPOs from subsistence-level operations to scalable, market-linked enterprises.
Geographic Focus
The programme prioritises eastern and underserved agricultural regions of India:
- Sikkim
- Bihar
- West Bengal
- Jharkhand
These regions are selected due to high agricultural potential and the need for institutional strengthening of FPOs.
Who is Eligible?
Implementing Agencies
Eligible applicants include:
- Non-profit organisations
- Trusts
- Societies registered in India
They must have experience in:
- FPO development
- Livelihood and community mobilisation
- Agricultural value chain strengthening
- Market linkage development
- Financial inclusion and access to credit
- Technology integration in agriculture
- Government scheme convergence
Eligibility Based on Financial Capacity
Organisations must meet revenue requirements:
- ₹50 lakh to ₹1 crore proposal: minimum ₹2 crore cumulative revenue (last 3 financial years)
- Above ₹1 crore proposal: minimum ₹5 crore cumulative revenue (last 3 financial years)
Each organisation can submit only one proposal.
Target Beneficiaries
The programme supports:
- Legally registered Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs)
- Small and marginal farmers
- Women farmers
- Youth farmers
- Marginalised rural communities
Selected FPOs must demonstrate potential for:
- Market expansion
- Value addition
- Financial sustainability
- Business growth
Funding Details
- Grant size: ₹50 lakh to ₹5 crore per project
- Duration: 1 to 3 years
- Implementation starts within the current financial year
- Funding released based on performance and compliance
What the Programme Supports
Institutional Strengthening
- Governance and leadership improvement
- Financial systems and compliance
- Business planning and organisational structure
Value Chain Development
- Sorting, grading, packaging, and processing
- Quality assurance and certification
- Branding and product diversification
Market Access
- Linkages with institutional buyers
- Retail and e-commerce partnerships
- Processor and aggregator networks
- Organised market integration
Digital and Technology Adoption
- Digital record management systems
- Inventory and traceability tools
- Online payments and transactions
- Business management software
Finance and Compliance Support
- Access to loans and financial services
- Registration and licensing support
- Government scheme convergence
- Certification and regulatory compliance
How the Programme Works (Step-by-Step)
Step 1: Identify FPOs
Baseline studies and commodity mapping identify high-potential FPOs.
Step 2: Business Assessment
Evaluation of governance, operations, and market potential.
Step 3: Project Design
Develop capacity-building and enterprise development roadmap.
Step 4: Implementation
Support includes training, systems development, and market linkage creation.
Step 5: Monitoring and Reporting
Continuous tracking of performance, compliance, and outcomes.
Step 6: Sustainability Transition
FPOs transition into self-sustaining agri-enterprises.
Evaluation Criteria
Applications are assessed based on:
- Alignment with SBIF LEAP objectives
- Quality of project design
- Innovation in approach
- Implementation strategy
- Sustainability planning
- Organisational experience
- Market linkage strategy
- Measurable impact on FPOs
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Weak FPO selection strategy or unclear targeting
- Lack of financial sustainability planning
- Overemphasis on training without enterprise outcomes
- Missing market linkage strategy
- Poor understanding of value chain development
- Insufficient experience in agriculture or FPO ecosystems
Tips for a Strong Application
- Clearly define FPO transformation strategy
- Show strong market-driven approach, not just training
- Include detailed value chain and commodity mapping
- Demonstrate measurable income and growth outcomes
- Build strong digital and finance integration plan
- Highlight sustainability beyond project duration
- Show proven experience in rural development ecosystems
Why This Programme Matters
The SBI Foundation SBIF LEAP initiative plays a key role in:
- Strengthening India’s Farmer Producer Organizations
- Increasing farmer incomes through market access
- Promoting agribusiness formalisation in rural areas
- Enhancing value addition and rural enterprise development
- Supporting digital transformation in agriculture
- Improving financial inclusion for small and marginal farmers
It helps shift agriculture from fragmented production to structured, market-linked enterprise systems.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the funding range?
₹50 lakh to ₹5 crore per project.
What is the project duration?
Between 1 and 3 years.
Who can apply?
Indian non-profits, trusts, and societies with relevant FPO development experience.
What is the main goal?
To strengthen FPOs and develop sustainable agri-enterprises.
Where is the programme focused?
Eastern Indian states including Sikkim, Bihar, West Bengal, and Jharkhand.
Is market linkage important?
Yes, strong market linkage strategies are a core requirement.
How many proposals can an organisation submit?
Only one proposal per organisation is allowed.
Conclusion
The SBI Foundation SBIF LEAP programme is a large-scale rural development initiative that strengthens Farmer Producer Organizations in India by improving governance, market access, value addition, and digital adoption. By funding structured, enterprise-driven interventions, it helps transform FPOs into sustainable and competitive agri-business institutions.
For more information, visit SBI Foundation.