Overcoming hurdles: Navigating the key challenges faced by FPO members in Tiruvallur district

Abstract

Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) are instrumental in enhancing agricultural productivity and income through collective farming practices. However, they face several constraints that impede their effectiveness. This study aims to identify and rank these constraints experienced by FPO members in Tiruvallur district, Tamil Nadu. Employing an ex-post facto research design, data were collected from 120 FPO members using a structured interview schedule. The constraints were categorize into personal, infrastructural, economic, marketing, organizational, and technical dimensions and analyzed using Garrett’s Ranking Technique. The findings reveal that personal constraints, such as lack of desire to attend meetings and insufficient time, are significant internal issues. Infrastructural constraints highlight the critical need for modern machinery and storage facilities. Economic constraints underscore the importance of improving credit awareness and funding sources. Marketing constraints reveal challenges in pricing and supply chain management. Organizational constraints indicate issues with labor distribution and management capacity, while technical constraints emphasize the need for timely inputs and better technical support. These insights provide a comprehensive understanding of the multifaceted challenges faced by FPOs, offering actionable recommendations for targeted interventions to improve their performance and sustainability.