Farmer Producer Organizations Research Articles

Impact of Tamil Nadu Irrigated Agriculture Modernization Project Melur Farmer Producer Organization Company Ltd.,- A Socio-economic Analysis

"The Indian government has declared 2014 to be the “Year of Farmer Producer Organizations (FPO).”Thousands of Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) had registered around the country under the various legislation, like cooperative laws, trusts, federations and more recently, the Corporations Act as producer companies. Even though, there is a lack in technical aspects of FPO. So this study was focussed on FPO and conducted in the TNIAMP (Tamil Nadu Irrigated Agriculture Modernization Project) Melur Farmer Producer Organization Company Ltd., to assess the factors which influencing the status of the FPO member. This study was conducted among 30 FPO members and 30non-members of FPO selected based on the purposive cum random sampling tool using well-designed interview schedule. The results of the study revealed that, the 43.33 per cent members of FPO getting higher profit (> 6,00,000 `) than non-members. Hence, government should create the awareness regarding the various activities involved in the FPO, should maintain proper infrastructure development for FPOs, proper computer literacy guidelines for FPOs, proper guidelines to raising the technical skills of FPO members and cold storage facilities for all FPOs dealing with the perishable commodities among others."

Training need assessment of women members in selected farmer producer organizations (FPOs) of Karnataka

Agriculture sector provides gainful employment and livelihood for majority of the population and contributes significantly to the national income and in India it accounts for 17.60 per cent of it’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Indian agricultural sector facing several challenges like small and fragmented land-holdings, climate change, diversification due to rapid urbanization, inadequate market and storage facilities, unorganized sector, lack of credit facilities and low knowledge on supply chain management and business plans. Hence the study was conducted in Karnataka during the year of 2022- 23. Study was carried out in three Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) from Karnataka have been selected. A total of 90 women members constitute the sample size. Data was collected through interview schedule and analyzed through mean scores and index percentage. Study concludes that, highest index score 81.11 was observed for training on skills for marketing of products at large scale and business skills and ranked I. Whereas, highest index score in personal constraint, expressed by majority of the women members was, they were unable to manage time between household work and FPO work with index score of (86.66) and it ranked I. With regard to marketing majority expressed that, price fluctuation every year and distress sale as a constraint with index score 81.11 and ranked I. Great majority (93.33) of FPO members expressed that, high initial share capital/membership charge in FPOs as a constraint and ranked I in administration. With respect to services and benefits more than half (56.66) of the respondents expressed that, non- availability of custom hiring services at FPO as a constrain and ranked I. Study results also indicated that great majority (93.33) of FPO members suggested that, they want proper guidance towards packaging, grading, branding, processing and marketing especially for value added products should be given by FPOs for better participation.

FPOs as a Sustainable Business: Factors impacting performance of Agriculture Collectives in India

In recent years, the government’s focus on promoting FPOs has led to an increase in FPOs multifold. However, with the fast growth of FPOs, it is important to identify what impacts the performance of FPOs. This study raised the question, “What impacts the performance of FPOs? This study attempts to identify the measures for the performance of the FPOs. The Delphi round was conducted with 26 experts identified from agriculture. The performance measures were identified and linked with the literature. In the second round of Delphi, the experts were provided with eleven measures for performance and were asked to rank them. Based on the weightage of each criterion the most important criteria were decided. The mean ranks and deviations of the performance measures were analyzed. The hypothesis test and Kendall’s coefficient of concordance have been further used to validate the performance measures. It has been observed that governance of the farmer-producer organization, financial support, and professional management are the core measures for farmer producer organizations. Measures like Management Information Systems, Business Plan Preparation, Share capital, Turnover, Infrastructure, Market Linkages, Technical Support, and Age of FPO play an important role in the performance of the FPOs. This study will be helpful for all the stakeholders, including FPOs themselves, funding agencies, skill-building organizations, etc.

Empowering Small and Marginal Farmers: Unveiling the Potential and Addressing Obstacles of Farmer Producer Organizations in India

Farmers' organizations worldwide are essential, ensuring collective bargaining power, sustainable practices, and knowledge-sharing. This supports small farms in commercializing and meeting the growing global demand for better and more diverse food choices. India is also experiencing an increase in Farmer Producer Originations (FPOs), crucial in enhancing economic opportunities for small and marginal farmers. FPOs provide a host of services to members, like input supply, procurement, marketing, technical services, financial services, etc. The study delves into the existing literature and policy landscape surrounding FPOs and their role in the economic development of small and marginal farmers in India. This study also analyses the problems and obstacles concerning the growth of FPOs and provides a future direction. Twenty semi-structured interviews were conducted with leaders of the FPOs to understand the background, issues, future goals and member expectations. The results suggest that lack of working capital, poor management, absence of skilled professionals, and dependency on external agencies are the significant problems FPOs face; there is also a need for proactive government support. There needs to be more literature concerning the auxiliary services of FPOs. As the Indian government plans to add ten thousand FPOs in the next few years, the government needs to address the issues regarding lack of working capital, develop a comprehensive database of FPOs, establish performance metrics and determinants, provide management skill assistance, streamline licensing procedures, and foster social capital building initiatives. This research sheds light on the potential of FPOs to empower small and marginal farmers and suggests vital measures for the effective implementation and sustainable growth of these organizations.

Examining the Power of Accumulation: A Case Study of the Lavera Project by Ambala Farmers Producer Company Limited in Haryana, India

The concept behind Farmer Producer Organizations is that farmers, who are the producers of Agricultural products, can form groups and register themselves under the Indian Companies Act. 1956. The aim is to enhance farmer's income, capacity building, and competitiveness and increase their advantage in emerging market opportunities. A case study was conducted in the Ambala District of Haryana to examine the role of farmer-producer organizations in enhancing farmers socio economic status. Studying the management and governance system of F.P.C. and assessing the impact of F.P.C. on members was the objective of the case study. Personal interviews and group discussion methods were used for data collection and secondary data from directors for gathering information on the F.P.C. Project Lavera Ambala Farmer Producer Organization, which was established on Sep 02, 2015, for collecting, processing, and marketing milk and milk products. It covered nine Ambala villages and collected raw milk from members and non-member farmers at higher prices than other value chain actors. The study's result indicates that farmers who supply milk to F.P.C. get 9-13 rupees per lit higher price than others. It also provides bonuses to member farmers who are company shareholders, and their income from dairy farming is enhanced by 25-30 percent. Lavera has enhanced net returns for farmers, increased revenue through value addition, and fostered entrepreneurship in rural communities. Members of F.P.C. are highly satisfied with the services provided by F.P.C. and its performance in local areas.

Farmers Perception on the Services of Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) in Anantapuram District of Andhra Pradesh

A study was conducted during September, 2020 to August, 2022 in the Anantapuramu district of Andhra Pradesh, India to analyze the farmers perception on the services of Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs). Five FPOs namely Sri Venkateswara Swamy FPO, Sri Peddamma Thalli FPO, Sri Ramaswamy FPO, Narpala Rythunestam FPC ltd and Tadipatri Horticulture FPO were selected randomly as they are actively functioning in the district. An interview schedule was developed to collect the information from selected FPOs through purposive cum simple random sampling. From each FPO, fifteen farmer members were randomly selected and thus, comprising a sample size of 75 farmers from five FPOs. The findings of the study revealed that the majority of the members (64%) had perceived that FPOs performance with respect to their input services was medium, whereas 72% of them had agreed with respect to technical services as medium. With respect to financial services, 62.67% members perceived that FPOs performance was medium, more than half of the members (54.67%) had consented to marketing services as medium and more than 62.67% agreed with the processing and value addition services as medium. In respect to all the services, 65.33% agreed with the performance of FPOs was proved as medium whereas 18.67% of members had received high level of services and 16% of members found it as low.

Effect of COVID-19 pandemic on vegetable growers of Maharashtra

The world is struggling to fight the pandemic, the COVID-19 and the following lockdown has affected all walks of lives. Importantly, the farming community is the major victim of this. The present study was conducted purposively in the Rahuri and Ahmednagar tahasils of Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra State with the objectives to study the profile of the vegetable growers, to assess the effect of the COVID -19 pandemic on Marketing of vegetables, to document the constraints faced and suggestions offered by vegetable growers for future strategies. The five villages from each tahsils and nine respondents from each village thus total 90 respondents i.e. 45 farmers from Rahuri tahsil and 45 farmers from Ahmednagar tahsil were selected for the study purposively. The findings concluded that, to face the pandemic situation in future like COVID-19 and to motivate vegetable growers Government should focus on vegetable growers for adoption of sustainable and natural resources like zero energy cool chambers (79%), organizing massive public awareness and trainings campaign to popularizing the Farmer Producer Organizations and e-agriculture platforms for vegetable production and marketing (93%), utilize the services of Agro-Input dealers to enhancing more participation of the farmers and to create the Producers to Consumer marketing system (91%) and providing inputs and financial support by the Govt. (79%) is highly needed . The research study recommended that the State Department of Agriculture, Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Agricultural Universities and Agricultural Inputs Dealers jointly conduct a comprehensive public awareness and training campaign on zero energy cool chamber, Farmer Producer Organizations, e-agriculture platforms and Producers to Consumer marketing system to strengthen the agricultural extension system through Public-Private Partnership (PPP).

Effect of Socio-economic Characteristics on Pomegranate Productivity of Farmer Producer Organizations Member Farmers

The Investigation was carried out during 2022 to study the socio-economic status of Farmer producer organizations member farmers. The multistage sampling method was used for selection 26 samples from the Western Region of Maharashtra. The results revealed that, Overall Average age of the farmers was 39.98 years with 8.76 years of experience. The education level of farmer was up to higher secondary i.e.,10.53 years. The average family size was 6.94 number of person with land holding of 3.56 years. Study showed that, the explanatory parameters successfully explained 99.8% of the overall variance in the pomegranate yield, with random errors accounting for the remaining 1%. The findings indicated that age, education, income, and investment all played crucial roles in increasing productivity, while other socio-economic factors including land ownership, experience, and family size did not show significant affect on yield.

FPO Member Farmer Empowerment: Socio-economic Insights via Canonical Correlation Analysis

A multivariate analysis was undertaken in this study using canonical correlation analysis. The aim was to investigate the association between socio-economic variables and the empowerment of member farmers who are part of Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs). A total of 186 member farmers were selected from 6 FPOs located in two districts, namely Kalahandi and Cuttack, in Odisha. The selection process involved choosing 5% of member farmers from each FPO, with 4 from Kalahandi and 2 from Cuttack, using proportionate random sampling. Data was collected through a well-structured and pre tested interview schedule. The analysis revealed that 30.98 per cent of the variance in empowerment was attributed to the socio-economic variables considered in the present study. The findings indicated that an increase in education level and active participation in FPO activities led to enhanced social empowerment among farmers. Similarly, factors such as larger family size, greater market orientation, and larger cultivated land area were associated with increased economic empowerment. Additionally, the study found that a higher extent of cultivated land contributed to cultural empowerment among the farmers.

Ploughing New Ground: Exploring the Critical Traits of Leaders of Farmer Producer Organizations

Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) are a vital component of the agriculture sector, numerous many studies have been done on them. Earlier studies have mentioned that leadership is a significant concern in FPOs and emphasized the importance and necessity of strong leadership in FPOs. However, rare research has been done explicitly on FPO leadership. Hence, this study identifies critical traits of actively operating FPO leaders. The study was carried out from 2023-2024 and data used in this research were collected from April 01 to July 15, 2023. Snowball sampling was used to select the participants. The study used a qualitative approach. Twenty in-depth semi-structured interviews with FPO leaders were conducted in Maharashtra. Each interview was transcribed, and content analysis was done by ATLAS.ti 7.5.16 software to examine the data. Findings from the identified codes reveal that FPO leaders possess a few unique traits as it a new form of organization having a blend of corporate and cooperative organizations. These unique traits are convincing power, establishing personal relations with members, gaining farmers trust etc. The study’s findings will aid stakeholders in creating policies for selecting influential FPO leaders or training current leaders to enhance FPO outcomes.

Sericulture in Karnataka: Revitalizing through Farmer Producer Organizations

Sericulture in Karnataka: Revitalizing through Farmer Producer Organizations

Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs): A Scheme for Transforming the Agricultural Sector of India

Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs): A Scheme for Transforming the Agricultural Sector of India

Sustainability efforts of the farmer producer organizations

Sustainability efforts of the farmer producer organizations

Constraints perceived by the shareholders of livestock based farmer producer organizations in Kerala

Constraints perceived by the shareholders of livestock based farmer producer organizations in Kerala

Cultivating Adaptation: A Study of FPO Farmer Preferences for Climate-Smart Training in the Western Zone of Tamil Nadu, India

The Tamil Nadu government actively supports farmer development through frequent training programs. These programs, incorporating both classroom sessions and field visits, are targeted towards farmer members of Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) and conducted at regular intervals. Recognizing the importance of understanding farmers' motivations and preferences, the training centers conducted a study involving 80 FPO farmer respondents from Coimbatore and Nilgiris districts. Using rank-based quotient (RBQ) analysis, the researchers explored the reasons behind farmers' participation in the training programs. Additionally, conjoint analysis revealed their preferred training mode. The study identified a two-day program, held once a year from 10 am to 5 pm and combining classroom training with field visits, as the most popular option. Interestingly, the number of days was the key deciding factor for program attendance, while having experienced farmers as trainers or guest speakers emerged as the primary reason for participating. This research offers valuable insights for optimizing future training programs to better cater to the needs and preferences of farmers, ultimately maximizing their benefits and fostering their development.

An Investigation of Constraints Experienced by Homegarden Farmers of Coastal Agro-Ecological Units of Southern Kerala

Homegardens or homesteads represent a promising land use system and are common in Kerala, where the average size of farm households is small. The present investigation was carried out in the coastal homegardens of three selected panchayaths of Southern Kerala during 2021-22 to measure the constraints perceived by the coastal homegarden farmers. A total of 105 homegardens were included in the sample, with 35 homegardens purposefully selected from each identified panchayat. Farmers were interviewed using a structured interview schedule containing both open and closed-ended questions to understand the constraints. The constraints were then ranked based on the total scores obtained by summing up the individual scores for each constraint. These constraints were categorized into five main groups: Economic, Personal, Technology, Physical, and Other Constraints. Among these, "Lack of scientific knowledge," "Salinity," and "Flooding" were identified as the most critical constraints. Furthermore, the farmers provided valuable suggestions to address these constraints. These recommendations emphasized the development of tailored practices for coastal home gardens, the need for support from extension agencies, collaborative technology development, integration of traditional and scientific approaches, the establishment of market connections, the creation of accessible input centres, and the promotion of Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs). These suggestions highlight crucial areas for future action and development, potentially enhancing the sustainability and productivity of coastal home gardens in Southern Kerala, benefiting both farmers and the broader community.

An Analytical Study on Managerial Competencies and Business Performance of Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs): A Value Chain Perspective from India

Farmer producer organizations (FPOs) act as an effective institutional mechanism in addressing the constraints of small holders in India. But only a very few FPOs are prospering in their life stages, demanding a need for competent managerial team to understand the business dynamics and improve the organization performance. Hence, the present study attempted to understand the relation between business competencies and financial performance of FPOs operating in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India mediated through business approach. A proportionate representative sample of 4 FPOs and 11 FPOs registered under cooperatives act and companies act, respectively, were selected randomly. Primary data from 50 % of managerial team of FPOs ( n = 94) and secondary data from audited financial reports from 2019–2020 to 2021–2022 were obtained. The major findings of the study showed that business competencies and financial performance of market-centric approached FPOs are significantly higher over production-centric FPOs. A strong and significant correlation existed between competencies and performances. Variables namely education, business exposure, leadership role in community-based organizations and digital media exposure showed moderate correlation with various competency spheres. Due to relatively higher level of these factors in the respondents of market-centric approached FPOs over their counterparts, they possessed comparatively higher business competencies and as such identified business opportunities on the upstream value chain (market-centric) and accordingly showed better financial performance over the FPOs that identified opportunities on the downstream value chain (production-centric). Thus, a strong relationship existed between business approach, business competencies and financial performance.

Problems and Suggestions under Extent of Adoption of Recommended Mushroom Production Technology by Mushroom Growers of Jabalpur District (M. P.), India

Mushroom production technology offers a promising avenue for income generation and sustainable agriculture. However, the extent of adoption of recommended mushroom production technology by mushroom growers in Jabalpur District, Madhya Pradesh, remains a matter of concern. This study aimed to identify the key problems hindering the widespread adoption of recommended practices and propose suitable suggestions to overcome these challenges. The researches involved conducting surveys and interviews with mushroom growers in Jabalpur District to assess their current practices and level of technology adoption. The study revealed several critical issues, including limited awareness and knowledge about modern mushroom cultivation techniques, inadequate access to training and extension services, and the lack of financial resources for adopting advanced technologies. Additionally, the absence of supportive policies and market linkages posed significant barriers for mushroom growers.To address these challenges, several practical recommendations were put forth. First, targeted awareness campaigns and training programs should be organized to educate mushroom growers about the benefits of adopting recommended practices. Secondly, government agencies and agricultural institutions should enhance extension services and provide hands-on technical support to mushroom growers. Moreover, financial institutions should introduce specific loan schemes and subsidies to facilitate the adoption of modern technologies. Strengthening market linkages through farmer-producer organizations and value-chain development initiatives will enable mushroom growers to access better markets and improve their income prospects.Overall, this study sheds light on the obstacles faced by mushroom growers in Jabalpur District concerning the adoption of recommended mushroom production technology. The suggested interventions offer practical solutions to enhance technology uptake and promote sustainable mushroom cultivation practices. Implementing these recommendations can potentially lead to increased productivity, income diversification, and improved livelihoods for mushroom growers in the region.

Unlocking the Potential: A review of Millet marketing through farmer producer organizations (FPOs) for sustainable agricultural development

Unlocking the Potential: A review of Millet marketing through farmer producer organizations (FPOs) for sustainable agricultural development

Level of Derived Benefits in FPOs

Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) are platforms that serve for the growth and development of farmers in both rural and urban areas. Social capital is an asset that is studied by observing interactions and the relationships prevailing in collective organizations. In this paper, we study the contribution of social capital which is a critical element in the effective progress of Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs).
 Level of derived benefits is one of the five components of Social Capital of the FPOs. Forty actively functioning Farmer Producer Organizations in Southern districts of Tamil Nadu were taken for this study. The sub components of derived benefits include eliminating intermediaries, marketable produce, better price for produce, quality consciousness, declining migration, access to resources, advance payment facility, assured price, livelihood improvement and provision of enhanced advisory (These are the 10 criteria under which the level of derived benefits was studied). Mean scores and percentage analysis were calculated to examine the contribution of each subcomponent in the sample of organizations. The results indicate that the components of Social Capital such as marketable produce, better prices for produce, quality consciousness, declining migration, access to resources, assured price, livelihood improvement, and provision of enhanced advice have been gained by more than half of the FPOs. Areas like eliminating intermediaries and advance payment facilities should be focused more on increasing social capital which in turn increases the performance of the organizations.