Farmer producer organizations and their role in farm consultancy and technology dissemination in Nandurbar district of Maharashtra

Abstract

As a vital link between individual smallholder farmers and the contemporary agricultural environment, Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) offer crucial technology and consulting services that boost output, cut expenses, and expand market access. Farmers can overcome the constraints of small landholdings and implement sophisticated agricultural practices by pooling resources through FPOs. Present study about to find the role of FPO in agricultural consultancy, technological services, and value added services of FPO and market access which is provided by FPO for the farmers. This research paper identifies key dimensions Planning & Business Development, Marketing Management, Financial Management, Democratic Leadership, and Business Operations. In farm practices, small farmers achieved a score of 4.28, significantly higher than marginal farmers' 3.71, indicating better adoption of improved agricultural techniques and practices. Modern training services showed a similar pattern, with small farmers scoring 4.08 compared to marginal farmers' 3.51, suggesting greater participation in capacity building initiatives. Production training services revealed scores of 3.98 for small farmers and 3.41 for marginal farmers, highlighting the gap in practical skill development and application. These differences can be attributed to several factors including landholding size, educational background, financial capacity, and prior exposure to institutional support.