This study evaluates the impact of the maize value chain on farmers’ income in Davanagere district, Karnataka, and identifies constraints faced by stakeholders. Karnataka contributes 14.88 per cent of India’s maize area and 14.80 per cent of its production, with Davanagere emerging as a hub for maize processing and marketing. Data was collected through interviews with 120 farmers and 15 market functionaries, using snowball sampling. Farmers utilizing FPO-led market channels earned ₹ 6,307.8/ha more than those using traditional channels, as revealed by regression adjustment models. Factors such as FPO distance, institutional credit access, and FPO marketing activity significantly influenced participation in FPO-led channels, as determined by a binary logit regression model. Key constraints included limited credit access, logistical challenges, and inadequate FPO outreach. Strengthening FPO networks, improving credit facilities, and addressing logistical inefficiencies could enhance farmer incomes and the efficiency of the maize value chain. The study underscores the transformative role of FPOs in agricultural value chains.
Likhith et al. (2025) studied this question.