Citation:

Utpal Goswami, Dr. Shazeed Ahmed. "A Study on the Knowledge and Attitudes of the Board of Directors of Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) Towards Governance & Management in the State of Assam" International Research Journal of Economics and Management Studies, Vol. 4, No. 12, pp. 87-95, 2025. Crossref. http://doi.org/10.56472/25835238/IRJEMS-V4I12P111

Abstract:

In India, Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) have become a vital model for enhancing the economic sustainability of small and marginal farmers. The primary reason for the promotion and formation of FPOs is to take advantage of economies of scale in the production and marketing of agricultural and allied products through collectivisation. However, despite immense potential, the FPO model is not free from various challenges. One key challenge is the governance and management of FPOs. This study evaluates the knowledge and attitudes of the Board of Directors of selected FPOs regarding their governance, management, and statutory compliance. Data were collected from 270 board members using a structured questionnaire that covered 10 knowledge domains related to FPOs and 10 attitude items, measured on a five-point Likert scale. The research utilised descriptive statistics, composite knowledge scores, inferential tests (t-tests & ANOVA), and measures of effect size. The study's findings reveal considerable variation in governance-related knowledge across areas, with particularly high awareness in fields such as recording minutes and understanding the maximum tenure of a board member. There are deficiencies that persist in a few areas, such as knowledge of the quorum in board meetings and the number of days' notice to be served prior to the AGM etc. However, the overall knowledge score indicates moderate governance competence among the board members. In terms of attitude, board members display positive attitudes towards the democratic election process, accountability, and board member participation. The results of the inferential statistics show that gender and education had no significant effect on board members' attitudes towards the FPO, whereas age was a significant factor, with older directors demonstrating a more positive attitude towards the organisation. Overall, the study highlights moderate governance practices and emphasises the need for targeted capacity-building interventions. For the long-term sustainability of the FPOs, strengthening governance knowledge and compliance awareness among board members is of utmost importance.

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Keywords:

Agricultural Collectives, Board Governance, Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs).