Journal of Environmental Biology

Entrepreneurial competency of tribal turmeric farmer producer organizations: Current capacities and future potential

B. Hema¹*, M.S. Madhav¹, V. Jyothi², Ch. Bindhu³, L.K. Prasad¹, Y. Subbaiah¹, H. Ravisankar¹, V.S.G.R. Naidu¹, N.K. Kumar⁴ and T. Yamini⁵     

¹Department of Post Harvest and Value Addition, ICAR - National Institute For Research on Commercial Agriculture, Rajahmundry-533 105, India

²Department of Agricultural Extension, ANGRAU-Sri Venkateswara Agriculture College, Tirupati-517 502, India

³Department of Horticulture, Horticultural Research Station, Dr. Y.S.R. Horticultural University, Chintapalli-531 111, India

⁴Department of Agricultural Extension, Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Anakapalli-531 026, India

⁵Department of Agricultural Extension, Kaveri University, Siddipet-502 279, India

Received: 15 September 2025                   Revised: 23 December 2025                   Accepted: 16 April 2026

*Corresponding Author Email: hema.baliwada@gmail.com                  *ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3944-8542

Abstract

Aim: The present study was conducted in the Alluri Sitharama Raju (ASR) district of Andhra Pradesh during 2022–2024 to assess the entrepreneurial competency of tribal Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) engaged in turmeric value addition.

Methodology: An ex post facto research design with purposive sampling was adopted to select 15 turmeric-based FPOs. From each FPO, five members along with five officials were randomly selected, resulting in a total sample size of 80 respondents.

Results: The findings revealed a low overall level of entrepreneurial competency, with a composite Entrepreneurial Competency Index (ECI) value of 182.1. FPO-wise analysis indicated that the majority of FPOs (73%) fell under the low competency category, with scores below 248. Three FPOs exhibited moderate competency with scores ranging between 254 and 256, while only one FPO emerged as high performing with a score of 452. The problem–solution matrix identified key constraints such as lack of direct market access (82.5%), poor financial literacy (75%), inadequate processing facilities (72.5%), and limited access to credit (70%). Suggested interventions included strengthening buyer–seller linkages, promoting scientific value addition, improving financial literacy, and facilitating institutional convergence.

Interpretation: The study highlights the urgent need for targeted interventions to improve market integration, financial capacity, and governance mechanisms, along with investments in long-term infrastructure and social capital, to ensure the sustainable growth of tribal turmeric FPOs.

Key words: Entrepreneurial Competency, FPO, Indicators, Tribes, Turmeric

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