UPSC Prelims 2023 · Question 46 of 97
UPSC Prelims 2023 question on Small Farmer Large Field
- ExamUPSC CSE
- Year2023
- PaperGeneral Studies Paper I
- SubjectIndian Economy
- TopicAgriculture Economy
- DifficultyMedium
- TypeDirect
Which one of the following best describes the concept of 'Small Farmer Large Field'?
Show answer
Answer: B. Many marginal farmers in an area organize themselves into groups and synchronize and harmonize selected agricultural operations
Small Farmers Large Field (SFLF) is a collective action model to overcome the disadvantages faced by millions of small and marginal farmers due to diseconomies of scale and lack of bargaining power in the supply chain.
This model is participatory and flexible and allows small farmers to benefit from achieving economies of scale by organizing themselves into groups and synchronizing and harmonizing selected operations.
It was piloted in two villages of Odisha, with 112 farmers (35 females and 77 males). These farmers organized themselves into groups and synchronized their operations such as nursery bed management, transplanting, and harvesting collectively to achieve economies of scale. The SFLF farmers purchased inputs (seed and fertilizer) and sold paddy as a group to increase their bargaining power in price negotiations.
The results showed that the participating farmers almost doubled their profits.
Hence option (b) is the correct answer.