Farmer-Producer Organisations as Collective Action Model: Evidence From Kerala

In India, various forms of collectivisation among farmers exist, including co-operatives and companies, which are collectively categorised under the broad term 'Farmer Producer Organisations' (FPO). FPOs are farmer-led business collectives that have gained prominence as instruments for empowering the economic and social position of small and marginalised farmers in India. While several collectives models, especially in sectors such as dairy, handloom, and poultry have demonstrated notable success, many FPOs continue to face significant existential issues. Existing studies have not been able to identify the factors affecting performance and proper functioning of FPOs. To address this gap, present study adopts a mixed-method approach, combining qualitative insights from Focus Group Discussions with farmers and quantitative Primary data were collected through structured interview schedule. Three FPOs promoted by different agencies were selected randomly to capture institutional diversity. The study identifies key enabling and challenging factors, links these findings with the existing literature, and conducts a Critical SWOT analysis of FPOs to assess performance determinants. The insights generated are expected to benefit a wide range of stakeholders – including FPOs members, Board of directors, funding agencies like NABARD, SFAC, Banks, and capacity building organizations by informing strategies aimed at strengthening the sustainability and effectiveness of FPO.