EXAMINING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SELECTED PROFILES OF BENEFICIARIES OF FARMER PRODUCER COMPANY WITH ITS CONSEQUENCES

Abstract

The present study was conducted from 2020 to 2023 in the Aurangabad and Latur districts of the Marathwada region in the state of Maharashtra. These districts were purposefully selected for the research study due to the presence of the highest number of Farmer Producer Companies (FPCs). Four FPCs were purposively chosen from each district, each of which had been established either five or three years ago. In total, eight FPCs were selected for the present study. The primary aim of this study was to examine the relationship between selected profiles of beneficiaries of Farmer Producer Companies (FPCs) and its consequences in the Marathwada region. By examining the characteristics and outcomes of beneficiaries within FPCs, we aimed to shed light on the impact of FPC membership on farmers’ livelihoods and agricultural practices in the region. From each of these selected FPCs, two villages were purposively chosen for the study based on the highest number of beneficiaries actively engaged with the FPC. Fifteen beneficiaries were randomly selected from each Farmer Producer Company, resulting in a total sample of 120 beneficiaries. Additionally, 120 non-beneficiaries were selected, bringing the total sample size to 240. Correlation analysis revealed several factors positively and highly significantly related to the consequences of FPC membership, including annual income, social participation, information seeking behavior, mass media utilization, training received, economic motivation, risk preference, innovativeness, scientific orientation, market orientation, and knowledge. Additionally, education, land holding, and occupation were found to have a positive and significant relationship with FPC consequences, while age did not establish any significant relationship. Multiple regressions showed that 77 per cent of the total variation in the overall consequences of FPCs on beneficiaries was explained by the 15 independent variables examined in the study. Furthermore, path analysis indicated that education, social participation, economic motivation, innovativeness, market orientation, and knowledge were crucial variables influencing the overall consequences of FPC membership.