Farmer Producer Organisations FPOs in Mizoram A Case Study

Abstract

India has more than 12.5 million farmer households. More than 85 per cent of these are newlinesmall and marginal farmers with less than 2 ha. of land. The average land holding size is 1.33 ha. newlineDue to this fragmentation and disorganization, it is not economically feasible for farmers to newlineembrace improved technologies and utilize high-yielding inputs such as seeds and fertilisers. They newlinecannot maximise the value of their marketable surplus by selling their products individually. To newlineaddress these issues, the Indian government has been developing a new form of collective known newlineas Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) under the Companies Act of 1956. This study assessed newlinethe socio-economic impacts of FPO on member farmers. It also highlighted the constraints of newlinemember farmers and suggested recommendations for the effective operation of FPO in the state. newlineThis study employs both primary and secondary data. For this study, 16 of the 23 FPOs that have newlinebeen functioning for more than 3 years were selected using purposive sampling technique. From newlinethe chosen FPOs, 25 farmer members each were selected randomly based on Yamane s sample newlinesize formula. The data were analyzed using statistical techniques like arithmetic mean, percentage, newlinestandard deviation, paired t-tests, eta squared, multiple linear regression (MLR), Chi-Square test, newlineGarret Ranking Method, the CAGR, and the social empowerment index. newlineThe findings of a study indicate that the female counterpoint of society is not much newlineinvolved in FPOs. The maximum number of respondents received some level of education. The newlineprimary occupation of maximum number of respondent is agriculture, but their average land newlineholding size is small. It is observed that majority of the group convenes group meeting irregularly. newlineIt has been found that 61.3 per cent of the respondents join the FPO in order to improve the newlinemarketing of their produce. Although a large number of respondents stated that the marketing newlinefacilities are sufficient and their products are remunerative, but the technologica