Managing sustainable transition through farmer-owned enterprises: the case of Ram Rahim Pragati Producer Company
Journal of Indian Business Research
ISSN: 1755-4195
Article publication date: 8 March 2024
Issue publication date: 4 April 2024
Abstract
Purpose
Food systems research is typically focused on productivity and efficiency. But in the face of impending challenges of climate, investment, markets, and incomes small holders may do well to shift to diversity and sufficiency. The transition requires institutions such as Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) to play the role of intermediaries. This paper aims to understand this challenging phenomenon using a case from India.
Design/methodology/approach
In this article, drawing from the emerging literature of PO as a sustainability transition intermediary, this paper uses the case study of a women-owned FPO and explores its role in contributing to sustainable food systems through practices of non-pesticide management of agriculture. This paper explores, through non-participant observer methods, focus group discussions and interviews with multiple stakeholders how an FPO embeds sustainability in its purpose and the challenges faced in transforming producer and consumers towards sustainable food systems.
Findings
The study argues for early articulation of the “sustainability transition intermediary” role in the FPO’s vision and mission. Second, FPOs’ role of being a transition intermediary is impacted by the key stakeholders and the durability of relationship with them.
Originality/value
By studying FPOs in India, from the framework of sustainability transitions, this article adds to the limited literature that looks as POs as sustainability transition intermediaries.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors wish to thank the staff members at Samaj Pragati Sahyog, and the CEO, board members and farmers associated with the Ram Rahim Pragati Producer Company. Authors also acknowledge the grant support from Living Farm Incomes project, funded by Ford Foundation, at the Institute of Rural Management Anand, India.
Statement on competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests.
Citation
Saxena, A. and Prasad, S.C. (2024), "Managing sustainable transition through farmer-owned enterprises: the case of Ram Rahim Pragati Producer Company", Journal of Indian Business Research, Vol. 16 No. 1, pp. 154-170. https://doi.org/10.1108/JIBR-05-2023-0148
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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