Impact of public private partnership model on women empowerment in agriculture

Abstract

A study was undertaken to assess the impact of three public private partnership (PPP) models in agriculture which were implemented as part of ICAR network project namely “Public private partnership for gender mainstreaming in agriculture” by the Central Institute for Women in Agriculture (CIWA), Bhubaneswar during 2009-2013. After forming the farm women groups and framing of memorandum of understanding (MOU) with both public and private planers, the PPP model was successfully demonstrated on vegetable cultivation in Coimbatore district of Tamil Nadu, mushroom cultivation in Palakkad and Thrissur districts of Kerala and vermicompost production in Jorhat district of Asom. Primary data were collected from members of farm woman group with 24 respondents in Tamil Nadu, 20 respondents in Kerala and 30 respondents in Asom in the month of April 2016. Frequency and percentage were worked out to interpret the results. Farm woman had better understanding about the concept of PPP and its utility. The relatives and neighbours although discouraged the PPP model in Tamil Nadu, extended whole hearted support in Kerala and Asom. Farm women realised 20% more income and 10% additional employment generation in all the three states. PPP models enhanced the access of farm woman to training, market, extension and financial services. They also helped the farm women to build up their confidence and team spirit. The critical input from these field level demonstrated models would help to form or strong extension strategy for promoting partnership based models in agriculture.