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Farmers' Producer Companies in India: A New Concept for Collective Action?

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  • Anika Trebbin
  • Markus Hassler

Abstract

Producer companies can help smallholder farmers participate in emerging high-value markets, such as the export market and the unfolding modern retail sector in India. As elsewhere in the developing world, in India, small farmers' livelihoods are being threatened due to the liberalization and privatization of Indian agriculture and the increasing interest of private capital in the agribusiness sector. The withdrawal of the state from productive and economic functions, and changes in the organization of marketing channels, present new challenges for small-scale farmers. In this environment of greater instability and competition, organization and collective action can help to enhance farmers' competitiveness and increase their advantage in emerging market opportunities. We build on the ideas of value-chain governance and collective-action literature and introduce the functions and organizational structure of producer companies in India within this context. On the basis of a case study of a specific producer company in Maharashtra, which produces and markets mango and cashew nuts, we discuss the potential benefits for rural communities and the reempowering effect of this form of farmer organization.

Suggested Citation

  • Anika Trebbin & Markus Hassler, 2012. "Farmers' Producer Companies in India: A New Concept for Collective Action?," Environment and Planning A, , vol. 44(2), pages 411-427, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:envira:v:44:y:2012:i:2:p:411-427
    DOI: 10.1068/a44143
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    2. Delelegne Abera Tefera & Jos Bijman & Maja Slingerland & Gerben Velde & Onno Omta, 2020. "Quality Improvement in African Food Supply Chains: Determinants of Farmer Performance," The European Journal of Development Research, Palgrave Macmillan;European Association of Development Research and Training Institutes (EADI), vol. 32(1), pages 152-175, January.
    3. Peter Dannenberg, 2013. "The rise of supermarkets and challenges for small farmers in South African food value chains," Economia agro-alimentare, FrancoAngeli Editore, vol. 15(3), pages 15-34.
    4. De Noni, Ivan & Orsi, Luigi & Corsi, Stefano, 2017. "The Collective Action as Potential Driver of Bottom-up Reconfiguration from Captive to Relational Value Chain. The Case Study of the Northern District in Sierra Leone," International Journal on Food System Dynamics, International Center for Management, Communication, and Research, vol. 8(4), October.

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