Relationship between Socio-Economic Characteristics of FPO Members and Income Generation in the Malwa Region of Madhya Pradesh, India

Background: Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) in India facilitate collective bargaining for small farmers by bringing them together into a structured entity, enabling them to negotiate better prices, access markets and benefit from economies of scale, thereby enhancing their socio-economic conditions. The formation and promotion of FPOs in India have been actively supported by the government, particularly through the Small Farmers Agri-Business Consortium (SFAC) and other initiatives. Aims: The study was conducted to measure the socioeconomic characteristics and income generation of FPOS farmers in the malva Region of Madhya Pradesh in the year 2024-25. Study Design: The sample was selected through multistage random sampling technique. Methodology: In the first stage of sampling Malwa Region was selected purposively. In the second stage of sampling a list of FPOS occupying district from the Malva Region was prepared then three districts were selected randomly i.e Rajgarh, Shajapur and Agar Malwa then a separate list of FPOS from each district (Rajgarh, Shajapur and Agar Malwa) were prepared thereafter top one FPO from each district was selected based on having maximum number of farmers. Thus, one FPO from each district Rajgarh (Haryali FPO), Shajapur (Malwamati) and Agar Malwa (Khushaal Kishan Samuridhi) was selected. In each selected FPO, a list of farmers having members of FPO were prepared, then 100-member farmers were selected randomly from each FPO thus in all 300 farmers (members of FPO) were considered as sample of the present study. Results: The findings revealed that a majority of the respondents belonged to the middle age group, had education up to high school level, possessed medium land holdings, and earned medium annual income. Most members had moderate duration of FPO membership and exhibited medium levels of social participation, farm power, extension participation, mass media exposure, risk-bearing ability, and decision-making ability. Correlation analysis indicated that education, family income, size of land holding, social participation, farm power, extension participation, mass media exposure, risk-bearing ability, and decision-making ability had a positive and significant relationship with income generation. However, age, occupation, and economic motivation showed a non-significant relationship. Conclusion: The study concludes that FPOs play a significant role in enhancing income generation among member farmers by strengthening institutional participation, improving access to information, and facilitating collective marketing.