Vol. 12, Issue 2 (2023)

Author(s):
M Roopa Mallanna and Dinesh GP

Abstract:
The Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) are emerging as the most effective means to collectivise small holder farmers to address their challenges and cater to the their different needs. Karnataka is one of the leading states in India in promoting over 1100 Farmer Producer Organizations (FPO). Several development departments of Government of Karnataka, National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC), Small Farmers Agri Business Consortium (SFAC), National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Limited (NAFED), Civil Society Organizations, Philanthropic Organizations and Nongovernmental Organizations etc have facilitated the promotion of FPOs as institutional vehicles for mainstreaming small holder producers in agriculture, horticulture and allied sectors. These FPOs are ensuring several benefits to member farmers such as; Increasing bargaining power through bulk buying of inputs and marketing of produce; Capacity building of farmers; Helping farmers in reducing post-harvest losses by storage and value addition; Assisting farmers for getting benefitted by different government schemes; Fast dissemination of Good Agricultural Practices; Access to extension services; Facilitate contract farming to address distress sale of farm produce; Custom Hiring Services providing agricultural implements on rental basis; Ensuring Insurance Services; Technical and Networking Services for connecting farmers with financial institutions, traders and consumers through digital platforms such as e-NAM, ReMS and NCDEX Services. The promoting departments have enabled in facilitating collaborative linkages with different stakeholders in supply and market chains. An attempt is made in this study to understand the current status of formation of FPO’s in Karnataka.