Extension methodology for assessing effectiveness of shrimp farmer groups

Abstract

Shrimp farmer groups either mobilised by the farmers themselves or facilitated by the development institutions are playing an important role in disease prevention by enforcing common crop calendar and collective compliance of Better Management Practices (BMPs) in the shrimp farming clusters. A weightage based index was developed using four constructs viz., collective compliance of BMPs, group governance, interface with stakeholders and compulsory membership and these were applied purposively among 32 shrimp farmer groups operating in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu to measure their effectiveness. The Shrimp Farmers Group Effectiveness Index (SFGEI) was found to be reliable and validated appropriately. Findings showed that about 40% of the shrimp farmer groups which enforced compulsory membership for all the farms operating in the cluster irrespective of size and infrastructure were found to be highly effective in collectively preventing disease incidence. The study identified several potential conflict points in implementing group approach and suggested appropriate management solutions for resolving the same. The SFGEI can be applied by any development institution as a guiding tool to mobilise new farmer groups as well as to evaluate the existing groups with suitable modifications. Farmer groups need to be suitably strengthened with adequate institutional support from research and development departments to transform them as producer companies to play an active role in the entire supply chain of aquaculture.