Producer Organizations Research Articles

Performance of agri-food organizations in the Colombian Central Region supplying food to Bogotá

The city of Bogotá requires approximately 2.7 million t of food products annually, of which 84% comes from the territories associated with the Central Region of the country (Bogotá, Boyacá, Cundinamarca, Meta, and Tolima). Small agricultural producers, who supply food to the main urban centers through intermediaries, are now targeted by a new marketing strategy promoted by the district. The objective of this strategy is to transform agroredes (organizations of small agricultural producers, in Spanish) into participants in the food market in the city of Bogotá. However, these organizations need to enhance their operations; measuring their performance is fundamental for this purpose. The objective of this research was to assess the performance of 60 agroredes in the Central Region of Colombia using the organizational performance index (OPI). For this, a quantitative, transversal and descriptive research was carried out, evaluating agricultural organizations across various dimensions, including administration and finance, associativity and network management, marketing, information and communications technology (ICT), management and logistics, and storage. The organizational performance of the agroredes in the Central Region of Colombia is currently in a consolidation stage. The performance dimensions that have been identified are associativity and network management. However, the most significant challenges are found in ICT management.

Relation between Personal Profile Characteristics of the Staff and their Attitude towards the Farmer Producers Organization

The present research study was carried out during 2022-2023 to know the relation between attitude towards the organization and profile characteristics of the staff of Farmer Producers Organization in Zone III (Rajanna Siricilla) of state Telangana. Ex-post facto research design was used for the study. Zone III consists of five districts namely, Karimnagar, Rajanna Siricilla, Medak, Siddipet and Kamareddy. The total number of FPOs in the zone were 66. Out of these, 40 FPOs were selected and the data was collected from 5 respondents randomly from each FPO using structured interview schedule. Thus, the total numbers of respondents were 200. The findings of the research revealed that (41.50%) of the respondents were middle aged with (38.50%) having education up to graduation, (51.00%) were having low experience of 2-5 years and (40.50%) received medium number of trainings (5-8). About two-third (65.50%) respondents had reported that medium extension activities were taken up in the organization, (41.50%) were having medium interpersonal communication, (57.00%) were having neutral departmental working environment, (59.50%) were having medium attitude towards delegation of authority and (38.50%) were having low achievement motivation. It was also reported that majority of the respondents were having medium job involvement (48.50%), medium job satisfaction (49.00%), medium perception of work load (40.50%) and medium job stress (52.50%). Among this variables, experience, total number of trainings received, extension activities, attitude towards delegation of authority, job involvement, job satisfaction, perception of work load and job stress were found to be significant with the attitude of the staff towards the organization.

Beyond the Number Games: Understanding the Farmer Producer Companies in India and the Way Forward

The paper analyses the trends, patterns and performance of Farmer Producer Companies (FPCs) in India. The paper aims at understanding what determines the success of FPCs and also explore whether the current policy focus on a targeted development of 10,000 Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) a good idea. The study tries to identify the critical common factors of successful FPC ventures. The study also analyses the issues, challenges and bottlenecks faced by selected FPCs and attempts to understand the best practices, the interventions and alternatives of the selected FPCs. The paper would help in understanding the existing and expected institutional arrangements for and around FPCs in order to make the business ventures robust. We used data provided by National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) and Small Farmers’ Agri-Business Consortium (SFAC) to explore the trends and patterns. A cross-case analysis was done to assess the performance and to draw inferences on critical common factors for success. The study shows that FPCs are emerging among other legal forms of FPOs. They are prominent in few states, which have enabling environment, enterprising farmers and have a history of collective action. The study shows heterogeneity in the product, functioning, how they work, deal with the issues and mechanisms of FPCs. The paper proposes establishing ‘incubators’ to handhold and support FPCs and different modes and categories for financing them. The macro- and micro-level understanding of FPCs drawn on the country-level data and the specific cases would add to the existing knowledge around FPCs in India. The contextual analysis of FPCs is of interest to global researchers and agri-development professionals, to identify the sectoral challenges, bottlenecks and the issues, which FPCs experience as business ventures. The paper creates possibilities for policy makers to design effective policy responses and strategies to strengthen FPCs in India and also benefit the global south by suggesting the learning from the model.

Green or roasted coffee? How a collective of organic producers challenges the quality construction by overseeing quality attributes, relational approaches and knowledge

ABSTRACTThis paper studies the conditions under which quality conventions in coffee can be revised. It shows how value is captured by a collective composed by Colombian producers overseeing coffee quality attributes, engaging in relational approaches and building knowledge with international buyers. Interviews were conducted with selected organic producers in Santa Marta, Colombia and buyers (e.g. in Germany, the Netherlands). Due to the sound relations between the staff of the producer organization and a German buyer, the manager of the collective proposed to also export roasted coffee in addition to green coffee. Although roasting at origin is not common in coffee exports, in the case analyzed existing hesitations were abandoned. Eye-level relationships, trust based on a relational approach and knowledge were key to achieving a collective quality construction and subsequent value capture by producers. Over time, these producers have improved their material quality techniques and become more familiar with the places where their coffee circulates and is valued, allowing them to influence the commercial spheres of the coffee business. The discussion is not about changing quality conventions, but on how quality conventions are institutionalized and the narratives behind them.

Determinants of Participation of Members in Farmer Producer Organization in Madurai District

Aims: The study aimed to identify the factors influencing the participation of members in FPO.
 Study Design: The study has utilized random sampling method to identify sample districts, sample blocks, sample villages and sample respondents for interview.
 Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out in Madurai district of Tamil Nadu in the month of May 2023.
 Methodology: Primary data was used in the study. Logit regression model was used to identify the factors influencing the participation of members in FPO. A well-structured interview schedule was used to collect data from the sample respondents. A sample of 60 members and 60 non-members of FPO were chosen at random and relevant data were collected.
 Results: The estimates of the logit regression function revealed that family size, annual income, landholding, distance to market, extension service, marketing facilities and input availability were found to be the major factors influencing the participation of members in FPO and found significant. Of these variables, family size, annual income, distance to market, extension service, marketing facilities storage facilities and input availability were positively influencing the probability of participation of members in FPO programme. However, farm size was negatively influencing the probability of participation of members in FPO.
 Conclusion: Based on the analysis, it is evident that the variables such as family size, annual income, distance to market, extension service, marketing facilities and storage facilities were found significant and positively influencing the probability of participation of sample respondents in FPO programme. However, the variable namely farm size was found to be significant but negatively influencing the probability of participation of sample respondents in FPO programme. It is also evident that the probability of participation of small and marginal farmers in FPO is found high. It is concluded that provision of services by FPOs such as training and capacity building programme, marketing facility, supply of inputs, transport arrangements to the farmer may increase their participation in FPO.

Poultry Value Chain Performance Measurement Using Stochastic Frontier Analysis in Mozambique, Maputo Region

Poultry production in Mozambique occupies a prominent place in the agricultural sector, especially because it is attractive for the promotion of entrepreneurship and self-employment. These facts are due to the short cycle and a large increase in the consumption of poultry products. However, despite the opportunities it presents, challenges do exist, namely, the strategic organization of producers and the access to the market, which give producers a weak capacity to compete, and thus favoring imports to the country. To analyze competitiveness, stochastic models were used to determine the efficiency of producers and to define good practices. The results clearly show that producers with a more organized and well-planned structure, producing more than 2000 chickens per cycle of production, tend to be more efficient when compared to those with less organized structures and without commercial agreements that facilitate market access.

Impact of Farmer Producer Organizations on Price and Poverty Alleviation of Smallholder Dry Chillies Farmers in India

This study investigates the impact of Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) on smallholder dry chilli farmers in Guntur district, Andhra Pradesh, with a focus on price realization and poverty alleviation. Two specific FPOs, Red Chilli Farmer Producer Organisation and Spoorthi Chilli Producers Company Ltd., from the Guntur district of Andhra Pradesh were chosen for the study based on their substantial business turnover and comprehensive backward and forward linkages to their farmer-members. The smallholder farmers were stratified into two groups viz., treated (161) and untreated (n = 315) based on the FPO membership criterion. The Foster-Greer-Thorbecke model revealed that the poverty incidence among untreated farmers was recorded at 0.691, which was approximately 49 percent higher than the poverty incidence of treated farmers (0.352). The depth and severity of poverty were also greater among untreated farmers, with a poverty depth of 0.494 compared to the lower value of 0.126 observed among treated farmers. The results from Endogenous Switching Regression Model revealed a significant positive relationship between FPO membership and both price realization and poverty alleviation. Farmers with FPO membership experienced 2.11 percent higher prices and 39.14 percent higher annual agricultural income compared to untreated. Factors such as education, adherence to Good Agricultural Practices, farm experience, access to improved inputs, and credit significantly influenced FPO membership. The study concludes that FPO membership plays a crucial role in improving the standard of living for smallholder dry chilli farmers by increasing prices and income. So, this research sheds light on the significance of FPOs in enhancing the economic well-being of smallholder dry chilli farmers in Andhra Pradesh.

Functioning of Farmers Producer Organisations (FPOS) in Mizoram: A Constraints Analysis

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to identify the difficulties encountered by FPO member farmers and to propose solutions that mitigate their problems and enhance the operation of FPOs.
 
 Theoretical framework: The scale of operational processes is influenced by the resources and capabilities of organizations that promote FPOs. A lack of business configuration and understanding of agricultural supply chains is a significant barrier to FPOs functioning as business entities (Gowda et al., 2018).
 
 Design/Methodology/Approach: Out of 23 FPOs, 16 were selected purposively, of which 280 members were chosen randomly in this study. Well-designed questionnaires and Focus Group Discussions with FPO member farmers and executives were used to collect data. Using the Garret Ranking method, the data was analyzed and inferences were drawn.
 
 Findings: The major technological and operational constraints experienced by FPO members is a lack of computer skills with a mean score of 72.3. In addition, unavailability of labour during harvesting was the biggest challenge linked with labour and economic restrictions with a mean score of (56.61). Moreover, delayed payment is the major marketing constraints of the members with the mean score of 62.9.
 
 Research, practical & social implications: The study would be beneficial for decision-makers, planners, and civil society organisations that focus on organising farmers into groups and developing effective strategies for starting up future development plans.
 
 Originality/Value: This article brings value to areas of research such as the functioning of FPOs in Mizoram and gives insight to comprehend many challenges they face for their optimal functioning.

Investigating the Constraints Limiting the Contribution of the National Cashew Producers Union (FO) in Improving the Productivity of the Cashew-Based Agroforestry Systems in Burkina Faso (West Africa)

The producer organisations contribute to improving agricultural productivity. This research investigated the constraints limiting the contribution of the national cashew producer’s Union (FO) in the productivity of the cashew-based agroforestry systems (AF) to help in the planning of future interventions for increasing AF productivity through FO. The study was conducted in the 04 main regions of cashew production. The data relating to the FO characterisation, operation, services and quality and new service delivery expected by the members were collected using the surveys through 33 individual producers and 118 producers through 7 focus groups totalling 151 respondents. The lack of communication, the low education level, the low memberships and memberships fees, the low women memberships, the lack of the supervisory board, the large geographical cover and producer members and the responsible selection method were the identified constraints related to the structure, characterisation and operation that could reduce the FO contribution in AF productivity. The FO services delivery contributes to AF productivity, but they need to be strengthened through providing new services such as producers’ access to credit, building the producers’ resilience to climate change, construction of storage facilities and increasing memberships for a greater impact on AF productivity. The FO should increase the service delivery related to group sales for FO to improve AF productivity. The results of this research could serve the actors interested in improving productivity through farmers’ groups in the planning of their future interventions for increasing AF productivity through the FO

Sustainability of Farmer Producer Organisation’s – Major constraints in functioning of FPO in Tamil Nadu, India

The concept of group formation and collectivization by organizing at the regional level is very important in the era of globalization and free trade liberalization. FPOs organize small farmers for forward linkages such as collective, marketing, processing, and market-driven agriculture production, as well as backward linkages for inputs like seeds, fertilizers, credit, insurance, knowledge, and extension services. Even though FPOs are doing well, still they face lot of challenges and struggle for their sustainability. Keeping these factors in view, the current study was done to determine the constraints, that Farmers' Producers Organization (FPO) faced for sustainable functioning. The study was conducted in Pennagaram block of Dharmapuri district in Tamil Nadu. 100 members of FPO were selected for the study. The interview schedule is used to collect the data. Rank Based Quotient (RBQ) was used to analyse the data collected. The results showed that lack of initiatives among the FPO members with the RBQ score of 83.83 under personal constraints, lack of well-developed processing facilities with the RBQ score of 90.00 under infrastructural constraints, lack of crop insurance facilities with the RBQ score of 93.00 under economic constraints, high transportation cost with the RBQ score of 95.17 under marketing constraints, weak economic status to run the organisation with the RBQ score of 86.38 under organisational constraints and lack of timely, cheap and good quality inputs with the RBQ score of 94.00 under technical constraints were the major constraints faced by the FPO members. Initiation among the FPO members, well developed processing and marketing facilities in their villages, provision of crop insurance for affected farmers, tax exemption, inclusion of their millets production in ration shops for supply are the suggestions expressed by the FPOs for their sustainability.

Farmers’ Perception towards Climate and Millet Producer Organizations

Aims: Majority of the farmers in India are small and marginal (nearly 88.6%) & facing issues in getting timely inputs (seed, fertilizer, pesticide and farm implements), credit access, market linkages, & existence of intermediaries reduced the producers share in consumer rupee. Farmers as collectives viz., FPOs/Co-operatives/FPC helps small, marginal and tenant farmers in enhancing their production, marketing, income, bargaining power, and provides benefits through joint action by eliminating the intermediaries. FPOs boost farmers income by establishing businesses among farming communities, brings industry and agriculture together that develops rural areas.
 Study Design: Random sampling.
 Place and Duration of Study: Karnataka, January 2023.
 Methodology: Four millet FPOs promoted by ICAR-IIMR from Northern Karnataka were taken for the study. Data regarding perception of millet farmers towards FPOs was collected by using well framed interview schedule from 120 farmers which were selected randomly. The data pertaining to study was collected during 2022-23 and basic statistical tools like descriptive statistics, percentage analysis, factor analysis were employed for analyzing the perception levels of farmers.
 Results: Majority of the millet farmers in the study area were medium aged with family size of four to six members. The average land holding capacity of farmers was 7.85 acres and are customized with organic farming of cultivation. It was noticed that majority of the millet FPO famers have medium level of perception towards general (80 %) and service activities (68.3 %) of FPOs and have higher level (73.3 %) of perception towards extension activities of FPOs. Lack of effective market linkages, Timely availability of agri-inputs and lack of coordination among FPO members were major constraints faced by millet FPO members.
 Conclusion: Establishment of Millet farm gate processing units at FPOs, CHCs, linking small holders to market through FPOs, value addition of millets, e-marketing, organizing trainings on aspects of second agriculture programs will make FPOs sustain in long run and thereby strengthen millet value chain. Collective efforts of Millet FPOs can contribute in building climate-resilient agricultural systems and support sustainable livelihoods for millet farmers.

Unfair trading practices and countervailing power

This paper investigates whether countervailing power of collective initiatives (cooperatives, producer organizations, associations) can mitigate unfair trading practices in agricultural markets. The study hypothesis is that collective initiatives exerting countervailing power can attenuate the imbalance in the distribution of bargaining power that is considered one of the main causes of unfair trading practices. Our findings suggest that in a multidimensional bargaining setting where all contract terms are negotiated at once, there is no theoretical expectation that exerting countervailing power necessarily results in a mitigation of unfair trading practices. To investigate the topic empirically, we used a data set measuring fairness perception of a sample of Italian kiwifruit producers. The data support the hypothesis that membership in collective initiatives increases the probability that a farmer perceives a transaction as fair. However, countervailing power does not counter all unfair practices in the same way. While patrons of collective initiatives perceive benefits in price and quality determination practices, no such effect was found for contract renegotiation. The analysis compares two policy approaches: supporting countervailing power and banning specific practices (such as EU Directive 633/2019). We conclude that countervailing power is less effective in targeting specific unfair practices, but it is less likely to determine efficiency loss because it does not impose constraints on contractual negotiations.

Lakhpati Kisan programme: boosting the income of marginal farmers through women empowerment

Learning outcomes This case will help students to analyse and develop insights into the concepts of servant leadership; to analyse and develop insights into women’s empowerment and a process to achieve such empowerment; and to explore the social business models for scaling up. Case overview/synopsis The Lakhpati Kisan programme under the aegis of Tata Trusts focussed on empowering women marginal farmers in the tribal belts in India to significantly increase their income from 2015. Ganesh Neelam, Executive Director, Collectives for Integrated Livelihood Initiatives (CInI), a nodal agency of Tata Trusts, advocated various livelihood options in agriculture, livestock, non-timber forest resources and water conversation. Initially, CInI faced the challenge of getting the farmers to sign up for the programme due to lack of trust. CInI facilitators educated the farmers about the purpose of the initiative and the benefits they would accrue and built trust. CInI created awareness through knowledge-sharing sessions on best practices in agriculture. They formed self-help groups of farmers for decision-making and for easy access to capital. CInI established farmer producer organisations (FPOs) to bring in a business perspective among farmers. The farmers as Board members and executives ran the FPOs like commercial organisations. CInI built capabilities to create a sustainable and autonomous ecosystem that looked impressive. But still the programme was falling short of the desired target. The farmers were so far reluctant to move forward independently. Ganesh felt that the social business model that CInI had evolved needed a re-look to achieve a significant and lasting impact on the majority of the marginal farmers in India. Complexity academic level The case can be used in the organisation behaviour, human resource management courses and courses on social enterprises as part of the MBA or post-graduate management programme or in executive education programmes. Supplementary materials Teaching notes are available for educators only. Subject code CSS 6: Human Resource Management.

Analysis of Successful Millet FPOs: An Exploratory Study in the Southern States

Aims: In India agriculture is the primary livelihood for small & marginal farmers and they are facing various challenges throughout the agricultural value chain from seed to delivering the final produce to consumer plate. To improve the fragmented supply chain and to support small & marginal farmers government has taken an initiative of Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs). FPOs are an important component of the government's efforts to support farmers and to address the challenges they face in the agricultural sector. FPOs also create a platform for peer learning, building social capital, and fostering a sense of community among millet farmers
 Study Design: Action type of research design.
 Place and Duration of Study: ICAR-IIMR, Hyderabad during 2022.
 Methodology: ICAR-IIMR is acting as CBBO to 41 millet FPOs in four states of which, Six FPOs distributed in Telangana (3) and Karnataka (3) were selected randomly for the present study which were implemented by NABARD, SFAC, NCDC and WDD. Action research design was used for collecting the data from millet farmers with the help of interview schedule. Problems faced by the FPOs in particular and farmers in general were analyzed in this study.
 Results: ICAR-IIMR developed business models to its FPOs based on the regional context and with available resources. The success of FPOs requires assessing multiple factors and considering both quantitative and qualitative indicators. The experiences shared by millet FPOs will positively influence millet farming communities and contribute to the growth of millet cultivation. Establishing reliable market linkages, primary processing units and promoting value addition are crucial for the success of millet FPOs.
 Conclusion: From the study it could be concluded that models and practices of successful FPOs may be replicated or scaled up in other regions, contributing to the broader promotion of millet farming and the formation of additional millet FPOs.

Building bridges in policy implementation during a pandemic: insights from an e-survey on Indian Producer Organisations

ABSTRACT Despite the widely acknowledged importance of consultative policymaking, interventions to encourage stakeholder participation remain scarce. The presence of exigencies, such as the pandemic, can further normalise the lack of participative processes unless serious alternatives are presented. This paper presents the results of an exercise, during the pandemic, on Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) through an e-survey of stakeholders whose views, if considered, could have avoided some of the implementation gaps and challenges before the rollout. The survey process demonstrates how facilitated and well-designed consultations can enable a better buy-in in policy implementation and importantly help build state capacity through such processes, despite the pandemic. The paper also highlights the need for scholars and citizens to pay greater attention to the everydayness of policy implementation beyond presenting critiques of policy formulation.

The Enhancement of Market Efficiency and Inclusion of FPOs: A Novel eAuction Model for Agricultural Marketing in India

Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) perform the key role of bargaining for farmer members, enhancing the economies of scale and providing flexibility to farmers in terms of price. Marketplace platforms such as eNAM and NCDFI eMarket operate pan-India to facilitate trade among FPOs and other stakeholders to enhance their efficiency. This research aims to study the operations of existing models using the case of maize and examine eMarkets from the perspective of FPOs. Further, an innovative eAuction model for eMarkets is proposed based on the study, which addresses the concerns of the FPOs and provides the option of selling their produce from farms.

Impact of Aatmanirbharta (Self-reliance) Agriculture and Sustainable Farming for the 21st Century to Achieve Sustainable Growth

Purpose: Indian Agriculture is 3rd most significant contributor to GDP and more than 50% of the population is dependent on agriculture, Indian agriculture accounts for15% of the country’s Gross Value added to the economy, and agriculture policies and schemes implemented by the government to increase the production, income level of farmers, employment, growth of the rural area, provide Digital agricultural stack in area of IoT, block chain, Geographic Information System(GIS) Kisan Drones, Big data, as per the report of NITI Aayog AI in agriculture would be worth $ 2.6 bn and Agri-Startups promote the circular economy with sustainable farming in the area of Millet, organic farming and vertical farming. It is an important pillar of sustainability and it is recognized as 7 out of 17 Sustainable development goals. Sustainable agriculture farming is the order of the 21st century in India which currently has 4.43 million organic farmers, according to the Economic Survey 2022-23, and a much-needed alternative to conventional for protecting the well-being of the farmers and Society, Economy and Ecosystem. India is Self-reliant in the production of Sugar, Rice, Wheat and food grains. Due to Government Schemes like Atmanirbhar, Minimum Support Price(MPS), PM Kisan Scheme, PM Kisan Samman Nidhi, Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), PM Gati-shakti, National Agriculture Market(e-NAM), Young –Entrepreneurs Accelerator Fund for Agri-Startups, Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PMVY), establishing more Farmer producers Organizations(FPO), National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA), Agricultural Technology Management Agency(ATMA), NABARD in providing finance for farm and non-farm sector, PM-PRANAAM for protecting mother earth. These initiatives are to increase the investment opportunities in agriculture, efficiency, and productivity in agriculture for doubling the income of the farmers. Design/Methodology/Approach: The research article is a descriptive study with exploratory research and secondary data collected from News articles, Journals, Government websites, Books, magazines, and reports for the analysis. Findings: Organic farming and sustainable agriculture is good for the economy and environment. The study reveals that in India Sustainable green revaluation in Agriculture Technology and moving towards achieving sustainable development goals (SDG). Type of Paper: Case Study.

Socio-psychological Constructs and Perceived Economic Variables on Entrepreneurial Behavior among Farmer Producer Organization Members in Kerala: A Comprehensive Analysis

In the realm of the Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), there is a compelling need for comprehensive scholarly investigation to assess the quantitative relationship between profile characteristics and entrepreneurial behavior of members within Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) to address the existing knowledge gap and contribute to a deeper understanding of the dynamics that enhance livelihood security. Therefore, the present study focused on examining the relationship between the entrepreneurial behaviour of FPO members and their socio-psychological constructs and perceived economic variables. The study was conducted in Kerala. Districts from Northern, Central, and Southern Kerala having the maximum number of FPOs were selected for the study. Thus, Wayanad from Northern Kerala, Idukki from Central Kerala, and Trivandrum from Southern Kerala were selected for the study. A purposive sampling technique was used for the selection of the FPOs. Two functioning FPOs were purposively selected from the three districts based on discussion with National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), Small Farmers Agribusiness Consortium (SFAC), and Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK). From each selected FPO, 20 farmer members were randomly selected. A total of 40 farmers were surveyed from each district. Thus, a total of 120 farmer members were selected from six Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) located in three districts, resulting in a sample size of 120 respondents. A random sampling technique was used for the selection of the farmer members from each FPOs. Karl Pearson Correlation Coefficient was used in the study to understand the strength and direction of the relationship between the variables. The socio-psychological constructs and perceived economic variables were age, education, annual income, scientific orientation, number of training attended, social participation, group cohesion and credit orientation. The findings demonstrated that there were positive and significant relationships between education, annual income, training, scientific orientation, group cohesion, and creativity with entrepreneurial behavior. The variables age and credit orientation exhibited non-significant correlation coefficients, suggesting no significant relationship with entrepreneurial behavior.

Entrepreneurial Behaviour of Farmer Producer Organization Members: An Empirical Investigation

In the context of Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), there is an imperative requirement for meticulous scholarly inquiry in the field of entrepreneurship due to the knowledge gap in comprehensive understanding of the psychological methodologies for quantitatively assessing entrepreneurship. Therefore, this research paper aims to assess the entrepreneurial behavior of FPO members, aiming to contribute to the existing body of knowledge in this field. An ex-post facto research design was used in the study. The study was conducted in Kerala. Districts from Northern, Central, and Southern Kerala having the maximum number of FPOs were selected for the study. Wayanad from Northern Kerala, Idukki from Central Kerala, and Trivandrum from Southern Kerala were purposively selected for the study. Purposive sampling technique was used for the selection of the FPOs based on discussion with National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), Small Farmers Agribusiness Consortium (SFAC), and Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK). Two functioning FPOs were purposively selected from the three districts From each selected FPO, 20 farmer members were randomly selected. A total of 40 farmers were surveyed from each district. Thus, from six FPOs in three districts 120 farmer members were selected. Random sampling technique was used for the selection of the farmer members from each FPOs. Entrepreneurial behaviour was measured using Entrepreneurial Behaviour Index. The assessment of various dimensions of entrepreneurial behaviour such as risk taking, hope of success, persuasibility, feedback usage, persistence, self-confidence, knowledgeability, manageability, innovativeness and achievement motivation helped to gain a deeper understanding of the entrepreneurial characteristics within the FPO community. The findings of this study indicate that the majority of FPO members exhibit moderate levels of entrepreneurial behavior across different dimensions. Majority of the FPO members belonged to medium level of as risk taking, hope of success, persuasibility, feedback usage, persistence, self-confidence, knowledgeability, manageability, innovativeness and achievement motivation. This suggests that FPO members possess a balanced blend of entrepreneurial traits, demonstrating a proactive and enterprising approach towards their agricultural activities.

CONSTRUCTION OF SCALE FOR PERCEPTION OF FARMERS TOWARDS FARMER PRODUCER ORGANIZATION

Farmer Producer Organization (FPO) is a farmer’s institution where group of 10-15 farmers collectively form an informal group and work together to increase the income at village level. To determine and notice how the farmers perceive about the FPO, the scale to measure perception was developed. On the basis of 14 criterion advocated by Edward and Likert, 37 statements were framed. To find out the content validity of the statements, the expert judges who had sound knowledge about the concept were selected and then the statements were administered to them. t test was administered to finalize the statements, t value more than 1.75 were included to develop the scale. Thus, 25 statements were finalized, 23 positive and 2 negative statements. Reliability of the statement determines how reliable the statements are to develop the scale odd-even and spearman brown formula was incorporated to find reliability. Final 25 statements were selected with reliability r value of 0.66 and spearman brown formula 0.77 was calculated.