Constraints Perceived by the Members of FPOs in Varanasi District, Uttar Pradesh, India

The study was conducted in 2023 with the aim of finding out the constraints perceived by members of FPOs in Varanasi District, Uttar Pradesh. The Varanasi district was purposively selected for the study, focusing on FPOs with more than 5 years of existence. Among the 29 registered FPOs in the district, only four FPOs met this criterion, namely; Kashi Vishwanath Farmer Producer Company Limited (KVFPCL), Rameshwar Farmer Producer Company Limited (RFPCL), Shivansh Krishak Producer Company Limited (SKPCL), and Jayapur Seed Producer Company Limited (JSPCL). The stratified random sampling method was used with proportional allocation. 35 respondents were selected from KVFPCL and RFPCL, while 25 from JSPCL, and 55 from SKPCL were selected proportionally to make the sample size of 150 respondents., ensuring a representative and comprehensive sampling approach across these four FPOs. The statistical analysis of the collected data was conducted using the Henry Garrett ranking technique. The results revealed four types of constraints perceived by the members of FPOs. In technical constraints, underdeveloped storage facilities ranked first with a GRS of 78.05, and underdeveloped processing facilities ranked second with a GRS of 70.44. In labour and economic constraints, the lack of skilled labour in harvesting and processing secured the first rank with a GRS of 73.12, while the shortage of labour during harvesting ranked second with a GRS of 62.69. Regarding marketing constraints, the fluctuation of prices every year came in first with a GRS of 65.24, and low produce prices ranked second with a GRS of 62.55. Lastly, in organizational and financial constraints, the lack of proper infrastructure claimed the first rank with a GRS of 62.67, while the absence of connections with financial institutions ranked second with a GRS of 49.36.These insights provide valuable guidance for enhancing the productivity and sustainability of FPOs in the region and similar contexts.