Farmer Producer Organization: An Ecosystem for Building Socio-Economic Resilience of Farmers in India

Arvind Arahant^1*, Dileswar Nayak², Lokesh Jindal¹, Geetanjali Batra¹, Debendra Nath Dash³, Rama Koteswara Rao Kondasani⁴, Adeeba Hoor¹and Shivani Prasad¹

¹Atal Bihari Vajpayee School of Management and Entrepreneurship, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India

²School of Environmental Science, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India

³Research and Networking, Mahatma Gandhi National Council of Rural Education, Ministry of Human Resource Development, Ministry of Education, Government of India, Hyderabad, India

⁴Department of Management Studies, National Institute of Technology Silchar, Assam, India

Corresponding Author E-mail: aparahant@mail.jnu.ac.in

Abstract:

This review paper examines the role of Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) in enhancing the socio-economic resilience of small and marginal farmers in India. Socio-economic resilience refers to the ability of farmers to withstand, adapt to, and recover from economic and social challenges while maintaining sustainable livelihoods. Despite India's leading position in agricultural production, small farmers face significant marketing challenges due to limited landholdings. FPOs help mitigate these issues by achieving economies of scale, reducing transaction costs, and improving market access. The study highlights successful initiatives, such as the Doubling Farmers’ Income program and the formation of 10,000 FPOs, which aim to support marginalized communities. However, challenges like social barriers and inadequate infrastructure persist. This paper addresses how FPOs contribute to farmers' resilience, and explores the implementation, challenges and opportunities. The findings emphasize the need for continued support and effective policy implementation to maximize the potential of FPOs in transforming India's agricultural sector.

Keywords:

Agrarian economy; Doubling farmers' income; Farmer producer organization; Small and marginal farmers; Socio-economic resilience

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