ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL DYNAMICS OF FARMER COLLECTIVES: ESSAYS IN AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS
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This dissertation explores the role and impact of farmer collective models in enhancing smallholder commercialization and agricultural performance. Using the case of Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), central to India’s agricultural policy, the first chapter of this dissertation examines how FPO membership impacts farmers’ welfare and delves into the mechanisms driving these effects. Another chapter analyzes the organizational, demographic, and financial factors determining FPO survival, underscoring the need for targeted, stage-specific support to ensure their formation and sustainability. The third chapter explores the social impacts of FPO membership, focusing on its impact on women’s decision-making in agricultural production and control over income within households. The findings underscore the importance of creating an enabling ecosystem, including investments in infrastructure, leadership, and inclusive policies, to ensure FPOs achieve their transformative potential in fostering sustainable and inclusive agricultural development.