Profile characteristics of members of Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) in Gujarat state

Abstract:

Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) have emerged as a vital institutional mechanism to address the challenges faced by small and marginal farmers in India, who constitute 86.08% of total agricultural holdings. The present study examined the profile characteristics of FPO members in Gujarat state, following an ex post facto research design. Five districts namely Ahmedabad, Anand, Banaskantha, Junagadh, and Rajkot were purposively selected based on the highest concentration of FPOs. From each district, six FPOs were selected, and ten members were randomly chosen from each FPO, yielding a total sample of 300 respondents. Data were collected through a structured interview schedule and analysed using appropriate statistical tools across thirteen personal, socio-economic, and communication variables.

The findings revealed that the majority of FPO members (59.33%) belonged to the middle age group, with male farmers dominating membership (83.67%), though women's participation (16.33%) reflects a gradual shift toward gender inclusion. Most respondents lived in nuclear families (69.33%) and had medium-level farming experience (70.33%). Small land holdings (1–2 ha) were predominant (50.34%), indicative of the smallholder character of FPO membership. Irrigated farming was practiced by 68% of respondents. In terms of socio-psychological traits, the majority exhibited medium levels of extension agency contact (73%), social participation (84.33%), cosmopoliteness (62.33%), mass media exposure (65.33%), risk preference (65.34%), and economic motivation (71.33%). The study underscores the importance of understanding member profiles for designing targeted interventions and strengthening FPO performance in Gujarat.