Suchergebnisse

PurposeFarmer producer organisations (FPOs) are considered as a strategy to improve the livelihoods of small farmers through economies of scale by providing collective strength to farmers for improved access to production technology, value-addition services, high-quality inputs and marketing services for improving their incomes. This study investigates the impact of FPO membership on organic farming household's income in Northeast India.Design/methodology/approachThis study uses field survey data collected from all four districts of Sikkim. Primary data were obtained from a survey of 560 organic farming households, 280 of which are FPO members and the rest 280 are non-members. Propensity score matching (PSM) is used to estimate the impact of FPO membership on net returns, return on investment (ROI) and profit margin.FindingsResults show that the FPO members had, on average, Rs. 7,254–8,133 higher annual net returns, 4.6–4.8% higher ROI and 8–8.4% higher profit margin than the non-members. The findings confirm that FPO membership has a positive and significant impact on net returns, return on investment and profit margin. Also, heterogeneity analysis indicates that FPO membership has larger positive impact on relatively bigger farmers and female-headed households.Research limitations/implicationsAs the study was based on a cross-sectional survey, the findings may be subjected to some limitations.Originality/valueThis study is based on a novel data set, collected specifically to examine the economic impact of FPO membership on organic farming in India.Peer reviewThe peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/IJSE-06-2023-0451

Neera-the coconut inflorescence sap has been promoted as a potential value-added non-alcoholic beverage with abundant health benefits. The concerted effort of the stakeholder agencies could liberate the product from the policy regulations on its production under the excise act (known as 'Abkari act' in Kerala). Subsequently, the coconut producer federations (CPFs) in the State were granted licenses for 'neera' production and marketing. However, the majority of the CPFs discontinued the 'neera' enterprise, which they have initiated with greater enthusiasm. The present study is a modest attempt to trace the reasons for setbacks experienced in the 'neera' sector and also to provide a refined framework for revamping the sector. The details of licenses granted to the CPFs were sourced from the Department of Excise, Government of Kerala. The sample size of the study was 95 (13 CPFs who are still active and 82 CPFs who have discontinued). It was observed that the 'neera' value chain is in the evolving stage, and the withdrawal of the institutional support had detrimentally affected the confidence of the CPFs ventured into it. The availability of 'neera' technicians (tappers) and the high wage rates have evoked concerns on the profitability as well as the assurance of continuous supply of the product. The study categorically highlights the need for a restructured value chain of 'neera' with specific roles assigned to the stakeholders through the creation of functional linkages.

AbstractThe farmer-producer organisation (FPO) is an umbrella term used to describe modes of farmer collectivisation in India, i.e. co-operatives and companies. While women cultivators play a central role in agriculture, their continued marginalisation is reflected in a lack of engagement in FPO activities and governance structures, with only 3% of existing FPOs being female-led ventures. This paper examines the nature of tensions around social inequities—and how such tensions might be addressed in the collective spaces offered by FPOs—using a gender lens, specifically in balancing conflicting pressures of economic performance versus inclusion and meeting specific members' needs. Using a participatory research approach, a conceptual framework is developed and applied in three FPOs operating at various stages of development. With a specific focus on gender equity and social inclusion, selected cases involved FPOs with > 75% female membership and scheduled caste/tribe participation. Qualitative data on societal needs, based on the expectations and experiences of FPO participants, are then analysed to better understand (1) what might promote FPO participation and (2) how equity and inclusion may be enabled from the 'bottom-up'. This exploratory study informs the collective action debate with its new and intersectional approach to gender equity and inclusivity. Empirical observations and within-case analyses involving FPOs provide new insights into the functioning of these institutions and nuanced interactions involving their members. Findings suggest that informal micro-producer arrangements or vyavastha, in the FPO pre-registration phase, are well positioned to act as spatial agents for establishing ethical norms as FPOs collectivise and grow. In terms of promoting social objectives and evaluating FPOs operating in different stages, a set of guiding principles are proposed with follow-on implications for policy.

Abstract The farmer-producer organisation (FPO) is an umbrella term used to describe modes of farmer collectivisation in India, i.e. co-operatives and companies. While women cultivators play a central role in agriculture, their continued marginalisation is reflected in a lack of engagement in FPO activities and governance structures, with only 3% of existing FPOs being female-led ventures. This paper examines the nature of tensions around social inequities—and how such tensions might be addressed in the collective spaces offered by FPOs—using a gender lens, specifically in balancing conflicting pressures of economic performance versus inclusion and meeting specific members' needs. Using a participatory research approach, a conceptual framework is developed and applied in three FPOs operating at various stages of development. With a specific focus on gender equity and social inclusion, selected cases involved FPOs with > 75% female membership and scheduled caste/tribe participation. Qualitative data on societal needs, based on the expectations and experiences of FPO participants, are then analysed to better understand (1) what might promote FPO participation and (2) how equity and inclusion may be enabled from the 'bottom-up'. This exploratory study informs the collective action debate with its new and intersectional approach to gender equity and inclusivity. Empirical observations and within-case analyses involving FPOs provide new insights into the functioning of these institutions and nuanced interactions involving their members. Findings suggest that informal micro-producer arrangements or vyavastha , in the FPO pre-registration phase, are well positioned to act as spatial agents for establishing ethical norms as FPOs collectivise and grow. In terms of promoting social objectives and evaluating FPOs operating in different stages, a set of guiding principles are proposed with follow-on implications for policy.

Farmer Producer organization is a cooperative form of business organization. It is registered under Indian Companies Act. Department of Agriculture and Cooperation (DAC), Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Government of India launched a pilot programme for promoting member-based Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) during 2011-12, in partnership with state governments, which was implemented through the Small Farmers' Agribusiness Consortium (SFAC). It is an organization of the producers, specifically the primary producers. All primary producers residing in the relevant geography, and producing the same or similar produce, for which the FPO has been formed, can become member of the FPO. Membership is voluntary. The procedure for obtaining FPO membership depends on the bye-laws of the FPO. The founder-members are those who were there at the time of formation of the FPO. However, all members enjoy equal rights. A primary producer can become member of a FPO by submitting an application and a nominal membership fee. The FPOs are dealing with operations viz., procurement, production, processing, marketing of the commodities or products and also financial management.

Producer Organisations (POs) have the potential to provide alternatives to the current iniquitous economic systems through collectivising small farmers into economic production chains, and as essential actors in bringing about socially-oriented innovation. The exponential growth of Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) in India indicates ongoing efforts to transform farming as an enterprise through greater connection with markets and value chains, and lesser state involvement. The chapter provides a comprehensive review of global literature on collective enterprises and locates this research in the context of dynamic and fluid realities of the Global South that often get underrepresented in mainstream literature. The incubation, promotion and management of these institutions require a new inclusive frame to make sense of the complexity of FPOs in India beyond the narrow parameters of agricultural economics with a greater focus on socio-political dimensions. Through detailed studies of fifteen FPO cases, this volume seeks to expand the boundaries of the current discourse by exploring the multiple dimensions of FPO growth, management, and performance in diverse settings through a unique participatory research process.

The Government of India recently announced $34 million for setting up a "Producers Development and Upliftment Corpus (PRODUCE)" under the National Bank for Agricultural and Rural Development (NABARD). Marketing of agricultural produce is a complex process in India. Farmers do not have access to market, they are selling their produce to the intermediaries operate in the market because of this their profit margin is reduced and their farming business becomes a non-viable one. We can mobilize farmers in groups and build their associations called as Farmer Producer Organization (FPOs). FPO is a means to bring together the small and marginal farmers and other small producers to build their own business enterprise that will be managed by professionals. FPO offer small farmers to participate in the market more effectively and help to enhance agricultural production, productivity and profitability. This paper examines current mode of operation of FPO and effectiveness of the FPO with reference to the small farmers in India. This article studies the potential role of Farmer Producer Organisations (POs; and more generally, Producer Organisations) in the context of large prevalence of smallholder agriculture in India.

The research investigates the determinants and impact of bank credit on output in the food crops and fisheries sub sectors; whether or not there is a significant difference in the risk on bank credit and output in the two sub sectors, and whether or not there is a relationship between risk obtaining in the two sub sectors. The results indicate the positive and significant influence of bank credit on food crops output, but a positive and insignificant influence on fisheries output, which unequivocally vindicates government intervention in credit disbursement to agriculture. The influence of banking deregulation on bank credit supply is shown to differ between the two sub sectors, for while it registers expected positive sign in the fisheries sub sector, it produces negative and insignificant influence in the food crops sub sector. Bank reserve requirements has a negative influence on bank credit extended to the fisheries sub sector, while it induces a positive and significant influence in the food crops sub sector. The 1997 economic crisis causes an autonomous contraction of bank credit to the food crops sub sector, but accentuates it in the fisheries sub sector. The food crops and fisheries sub sectors register significant influence of rate of interest rate on bank credit on bank credit supply. Obstacles to credit disbursement to the two sub sectors are presented, followed by policy implications deemed necessary to improve the credit situation in the agricultural sector.

Indian economy was already in the grip of a prolonged slowdown before the coronavirus hits the country The total lockdown due to this Covid19 outbreak damages economic structure (rural and urban) of country. Indian agriculture severely faced problem due to this lockdown by hampering on supply chain, production, harvesting etc. Agriculture and its allied sectors is the largest livelihood provider in India, more so in the vast rural areas. Farmers from small and marginal land holding face various challenges in having access to inputs and marketing facilities. In the last several years Government of India has encouraged farmer producer organizations (FPOs) to help small and medium farmers. There are number of study have been conducted on impact of FPOs on farmers income and their standard of living. This paper tried to capture insights of FPOs and its challenges. Paper also suggested some measures to improve the condition of FPOs.

The main objective of this research was to provide an exploratory analysis of the Fairtrade producer organisations' network, focusing mainly on the revenues that certified organisations derive from their participation in Fairtrade. Using descriptive statistics and regression techniques, we analysed the Fairtrade affiliated organisations from the comprehensive dataset on worldwide Fairtrade certified producers. The database comprises 1016 producer organisations and plantations, distributed in 65 developing countries during 2015 including all products and countries. We identified some features of farmer organisations that affect the creation of revenues, and we investigated the fraction of revenues that producer organizations derive from FT compared to their overall revenues. The results highlight the different approaches to FT by the certified organisations and do not reveal any dominance in terms of revenues by any type of producer organisations or by organisations involved in FT for the longest time. This research contributes to deepening the knowledge about Fairtrade operations and provide useful information to the debate on the role of Fairtrade in developing profitable value chains for producer organisations in developing countries.