International Journal of Agriculture Extension and Social Development

author(s)
Machapathri Praneeth, Dr. ML Sharma and Dr. Arun Kumar S

abstract
Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) have emerged as a key institutional mechanism for strengthening smallholder agriculture in India by enabling collective action, improving market access, and enhancing farmers’ socio-economic outcomes. However, the effectiveness of FPOs is shaped by farmers’ socio-economic, psychological, behavioural, and institutional characteristics, which often vary across regions. Understanding these variations is essential for designing context-specific interventions that enhance FPO performance and farmer empowerment. The present study aimed to analyse and compare selected socio-economic, psychological, behavioural, and institutional variables among FPO member farmers in Telangana and Chhattisgarh. Primary data were collected from 300 FPO farmers drawn from 10 purposively selected FPOs (five from each state). From each FPO, 30 member farmers were selected using a random sampling technique, resulting in a sample of 150 respondents per state. Data were gathered using a structured interview schedule and standardized measurement scales. Descriptive statistics were used to examine the distribution of farmer characteristics, while Z-test analysis was employed to test the significance of differences between the two states. The results revealed no significant differences between Telangana and Chhattisgarh with respect to age, management orientation, participation in FPO activities, satisfaction level, and cosmopoliteness. In contrast, significant differences were observed in education, farming experience, landholding, annual income, extension contact, innovativeness, risk orientation, economic orientation, information-seeking behaviour, mobile inclination, FPO membership, attitude towards FPOs, credit acquisition, training received, social participation, farmer empowerment, and perception. These findings indicate that although FPOs provide a common institutional platform, farmer attributes and institutional experiences differ considerably across regions. The study concludes that uniform policy and extension approaches may not adequately address region-specific needs of FPO farmers. Strengthening extension systems, promoting digital and mobile-based services, enhancing access to credit and training, and adopting state-specific capacity-building strategies are essential to improve farmer empowerment and institutional effectiveness. Tailored interventions aligned with regional contexts can enhance the functional performance of FPOs and contribute to inclusive and sustainable agricultural development.