Quantifying the Impact: Assessing FPO Penetration in Indian Agriculture Through the Lens of the 2019 Situation Assessment Survey

In India, Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) are garnering significant attention as a potential solution to address the challenges faced by small-scale farmers. This research paper focuses on the engagement of farmers with more than 33,000 registered FPOs in India. It analyzes data from the Situation Assessment of Agricultural Households 2019 and the FPO dataset by the Tata Cornell Institute. The paper sheds light on how farmers are involved with FPOs to meet their agricultural needs, such as acquiring inputs, managing the sale of farm produce, and receiving technical support for farming activities. Despite the anticipated benefits for farmers through their engagement with FPOs, the actual achievements have not met initial expectations. The impact of FPOs on farmers remains minimal, with fewer than 1% of farmers in India utilizing FPO services. This emphasizes the crucial need for reassessment and targeted interventions to enhance the effectiveness of these organizations.