An Applied Group-centric Approach for Empowering Banana Farmer's Agripreneurial Culture

Abstract

Agripreneurship is a dynamic strategy which enables farmers to generate sustainable income and thereby providing economic benefits to farmers. In the pursuit of sustainable agriculture, agripreneurship emerges as a dynamic strategy, empowering farmers to cultivate not only crops but also a reliable stream of income. This study explores the transformative impact of agripreneurship ventures on banana farming in Chirakkara Panchayat, Kerala. Through participatory action and learning, a heptalogical model was developed, addressing identified constraints in three phases: constraint identification, intervention, and market analysis. The study engaged 10 farmers with a minimum of three years of experience, strategically chosen from Krishi Bhavan clusters and VFPCK groups. The intervention focused on value addition, introducing products like banana jam and pseudostem squash. Results indicate a positive shift in the economic landscape, with the sale of 355 bottles of squash and 260 bottles of jam generating a profit of Rs. 11,219 and a favorable Benefit-to-Cost ratio of 1.36 achieved in a short sales period (13 weeks). Market analysis demonstrated weekly, monthly, and cumulative sales trends. Simulation scenarios based on actual sales and a 20% increase in quantity, cost, and returns projected promising outcomes. Simulation based on the actual sales yielded a net return of Rs. 1,34,628 per year, while the simulation with increased parameters suggested potential net returns of Rs. 1,61,554 per year, emphasizing the agripreneurial success potential. The agripreneurial model, aligned with the heptalogical model of entrepreneurship, proved relevant in areas where banana prices are low. The success in Chirakkara inspired confidence in the farming community, fostering diversification and product expansion based on seasonal inputs. In conclusion, the study highlights the significant impact of participatory action and learning in transforming banana farming. The success achieved in Chirakkara provides a scalable blueprint for the broader implementation of agripreneurial models, showcasing the potential for holistic economic development and improved livelihoods for banana farmers.