A Critical Analysis of Participation of Women in Farmer Producer Organizations FPOS A Comparative Study in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh

Abstract

The study entitled A Critical Analysis of Participation of Women in Farmer Producer newlineOrganizations (FPOs) - A Comparative study in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh was newlineundertaken in the year 2022-2023 in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh states of south India with newlinea sample of 180 women members from FPO and 180 non-members near to FPO. Thus, a total newlineof 360 women members formed the sample. Data was collected through personal interview newlinemethod and analysed through descriptive statistics, Correlation, Linear regression, Stepwise newlineregression, Z test and ANOVA. Results from the study revealed that, majority of them newlinebelonged to middle age (36-50) with low level of education, medium family size, small and newlinemarginal landholding. Income was high-medium for FPO members and medium-low in nonmembers newlinerespectively. Majority of them had medium level of social media participation, newlineinnovativeness, high level of achievement motivation and low level of risk orientation. newlineMajority of FPO members expressed that, they want training on value addition of produce. newlineThe overall attitude index score for all six FPOs was 82.93 and there was a significant newlinedifference found among women members with respect to attitude (Z value -2.055*) at 5.00 newlineper cent level. Regression analysis indicated that, R2 value for FPO women members was 0 newline.354 and F value was 6.456. Results indicated that, highly significant difference of mean newlinevalues was found (F- value 17.541**) at 1.00 per cent level. Participation in various activities newlinerelated to FPO indicated that, majority (74.44%) of Karnataka FPO members and 64.44 per newlinecent of Andhra Pradesh FPO women members belonged to medium level of participation in newlineFPO. Correlation between the socio-personal characteristics between participation of FPO newlinewomen members indicated that, experience in FPO (0.232**), achievement motivation newline(0.196*), innovativeness (0.366**) and social media participation (0.206*) was found to be newlinepositively correlated with participation at 1.00 per cent level. Whereas, family type (0.204*) newlineand landholding (0.191