Constraints Perceived and Suggestions Offered by the members of Tribal Farmer Producer Groups (FPGs)

Abstract

Farmer Producer Groups (FPGs) have emerged as a possible solution to many of the problems faced by the Indian agriculture sector. The plight of small and marginal tribal farmers is aggravated by the weak marketing system: lack of quality input and technical services. The situation can be improved through collectivization when grouped and trained effectively, farmers can achieve enormous growth goals, finally making the group selfreliant and self-sufficient. The study focused on identifying the constraints faced by members of FPGs and possible suggestions for the tribal farmers of Seethampeta block of Srikakulam district, Andhra Pradesh. The study included 145 members, selected through a multi-stage proportionate random sampling method from three villages with the highest number of FPGs and members. Data collection was done through personal interview method and the respondents were provided with open-ended questions for listing out the constraints faced by them and suggestions for improving the effectiveness of FPGs. The constraints listed were then grouped into economic, marketing, organizational, technical and socio-cultural constraints. The collected data were analyzed using frequency and percentage. The ranking was given based on the percentage for easy identification of the major and minor constraints faced by the tribal farmers of FPGs under study.