Access to improved market and modern technology are critical drivers of income and productivity in agriculture. There is an urgent need to boost direct investment in agriculture, intensify market access, improve food processing and value addition activities in rural areas. Collective action as an institutional arrangement is often advocated to reduce the twin prime challenges of agriculture – efficient price discovery through market participation and rising cost of technology usage for productivity growth.
The paper is focusing on Farmer Producers Organizations (FPOs) to ascertain their role in bringing synergy amongst various stakeholders of Indian agriculture to enhance income and productivity.
The study follows a ‘case study research design’ to examine the evolution, governance, and business operating system of one such State level producers company – Maharashtra State Farmer Producers Company Ltd. (MAHA-FPC).
It was observed that MAHA-FPC has created an enabling environment for farmers; established better coordination among FPOs formed in the State; involved in policy dialogue with the State and Central agencies; and facilitated in strengthening backward and forward linkages. The lessons learnt would be useful for other such State Level Federations of FPOs to establish, promote agribusiness activities and inculcate entrepreneurial culture among farmer producers.