Mr. Ankur will present his MS dissertation as below:
Date: 13th September 2024
Time: 0930 - 1030 hrs.
Venue: HOD Cabin, CTARA Office.
Topic: Enabling Farmers to Tap Value-chain
Guide: Prof. Amit Arora (Guide), Prof. Satish Agnihotri (Co-guide)
RPC Members: Prof. Sarthak Gaurav, Prof. Parmeshwar D. Udmale
Abstract:
The research examines strategies to enhance farmers' income in India through integration into agricultural value chains, with a particular focus on smallholder and marginal farmers. The study begins by analyzing the current socio-economic conditions of Indian farmers, highlighting the persistent income disparities and challenges stemming from traditional production-centric approaches. Leveraging secondary data from the NSSO and other sources, the research explores income distribution, farm size, and market participation across various regions. It then investigates how value-centric approaches, such as contract farming, digital platforms, and collective action through Farmer Producer Companies (FPCs), can enable farmers to capture a larger share of the value chain. Case studies of groundnut and cotton farmers in the Saurashtra region of Gujarat illustrate how value chain integration, market linkages, and processing activities can enhance profitability and reduce dependency on intermediaries.
The study further examines the role of collective action, comparing the performance of FPCs with traditional cooperatives in facilitating market access, governance, and operational autonomy. Detailed case studies, including the Saurashtra Swanirbhar Khedut Producer Company (SSKPC), highlight the critical success factors and challenges faced by FPCs in integrating into modern value chains. The research finds that while FPCs offer greater flexibility and autonomy compared to cooperatives, they face significant financial and managerial constraints. A comparison between FPCs and cooperatives reveals that FPCs are better positioned to tap into emerging market opportunities but require stronger support systems to scale effectively.
The findings of this research underscore the importance of shifting from a production-centric to a value-chain-centric paradigm to sustainably increase farmers' income. By enhancing access to markets, technology, and financial resources, and fostering collective action, FPCs and cooperatives can play a pivotal role in integrating farmers into value chains. However, tailored policy interventions and institutional support are needed to overcome the structural barriers that continue to hinder their performance.