Archives of Current Research International

The study was undertaken to assess the knowledge level of members of selected Farmer Producer Organisations promoted by Central Agricultural University (CAU), Imphal, and the North Eastern Regional Agricultural Marketing Corporation Limited (NERAMAC) in Manipur. An ex-post facto research design was adopted for the study. A total of 120 shareholder farmers were selected as respondents from the selected FPOs, comprising 52 members from CAU-promoted FPOs and 68 members from NERAMAC-promoted FPOs. Knowledge was assessed using 20 structured statements covering the concept, membership, organisational functioning, services, infrastructure, credit assistance and capacity-building activities of FPOs. The findings revealed that the majority of respondents belonged to the medium knowledge category (72.50%), followed by the low (15%) and high (12.50%) knowledge categories. The overall mean knowledge score was 11.74, with a standard deviation of 3.26. Among respondents from CAU, Imphal-promoted FPOs, knowledge was highest regarding the identification of the Cluster-Based Business Organisation (CBBO), followed by the meaning of FPO and eligibility for membership. Among respondents from NERAMAC-promoted FPOs, knowledge was also highest regarding the CBBO, followed by the meaning of FPO. The findings indicate the need for continuous capacity building and improved dissemination of information regarding FPO objectives, services, infrastructure and organisational functioning to strengthen the effective participation of member farmers.