My Network, Influences & Support (Accessibility, Networking & Support Systems). Agriculture Resource Endowment Index 9/10

It Takes a Village (and a Few Good Networks) to Grow a Farm” Farming is never a solo game—it thrives on networks, advice, money flow, and government schemes. Let’s map how strong your support system really is.

Step 1 of 4

Q1: Community Network – Social Capital (Community Support, Farmer Groups, etc.); Farming is not always a solo game. Some farmers join groups, cooperatives, or FPOs to share knowledge, buy inputs cheaper, or sell produce together. Others prefer to work alone, depending only on their own family. Think about your own situation — how connected are you with fellow farmers and community support networks?

I am an active member of farmer groups, cooperatives, or FPOs. We share advice, buy inputs in bulk, and sell produce collectively for better prices. I also join community meetings and training sessions.

I regularly interact with farmer friends and neighbours. We discuss problems, share small resources, and sometimes pool efforts. I’m not in a formal FPO or cooperative, but I am not alone either.

I have some loose connections — I ask neighbours for help during emergencies, and sometimes we share labour or information. But mostly I manage on my own.

I rarely interact with other farmers or groups. I prefer to work independently and rely only on my family. Sometimes this means higher costs or feeling isolated.

I have no real connection with other farmers or networks. I neither join groups nor seek advice. I face everything alone.

Q2: Trade Relations and Market Linkages (Mandi, Direct Buyers, Contract Farming, etc.); Selling your harvest is often more stressful than growing it. Some farmers only depend on the local mandi, some sell to traders who come to the farm, and others try direct marketing, contracts, or even urban buyers. Tell us honestly — how do you usually sell your crops, and how strong are your buyer connections?

I have strong and stable buyer connections. I sell directly to companies, processors, or through contract farming. Payments come on time, prices are better, and I feel secure about my market.

I mix it up — sometimes mandi, sometimes private buyers. I know a few traders who trust my produce, so I can choose depending on the situation.

Mostly I take it to the mandi or nearest trader. I don’t bargain much — I just accept the going rate. At least I get quick cash, but I often feel the price is unfair.

I depend on just one middleman who picks up my produce. Prices are usually low, and sometimes payment is delayed, but I don’t have any other option.

I have no reliable buyer. Sometimes crops remain unsold or I sell in distress at throwaway rates. Marketing feels harder than farming itself.

Q3: Access to Advisory Services (Extension, KVKs, Private Consultants, Agri-Startups, etc.); Farming decisions are tricky — from seed choice to pest control to marketing. Some farmers rely only on neighbours or dealers for advice, while others reach out to Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), government extension officers, private consultants, or even agri-startups for guidance. These advisory services can save time, reduce mistakes, and improve profits. How do you usually get advice and knowledge for your farm?

I actively use multiple advisory services — KVKs, extension officers, agri-startups, or private experts. I also attend trainings and apply what I learn. Advice is science-based and timely.

I regularly consult at least one good source — like KVK, government officers, or a trusted private consultant. I follow their advice most of the time.

I sometimes take advice from KVKs or trainings, but mostly I depend on local input dealers or experienced neighbours for guidance.

I rely almost fully on input dealers or traders for advice. I rarely connect with formal advisory services. Sometimes their suggestions work, sometimes they don’t.

I don’t seek advice from anyone. I follow my own experience or whatever I see others doing. I feel advisory services are not for me.

Q4: Access to Financial/Institutional Support (Banks, Insurance, Cooperatives, FPOs, SHGs, etc.); Money is the fuel of farming — for seeds, fertilizers, labour, or even emergencies. Some farmers get loans from banks, cooperatives, or FPOs at low interest. Others rely on insurance, SHGs, or government programs. But many still depend on moneylenders or relatives, often at high cost. Tell us — what kind of financial and institutional support do you usually access for your farm?

I have strong access to banks, cooperatives, FPOs, and even insurance. I get timely loans at low rates, use insurance schemes, and sometimes benefit from SHGs or support programs.

I mostly use banks or cooperatives for loans and sometimes insurance. Support is there, though not always smooth, but it helps me manage costs and risks.

I sometimes get loans from banks or cooperatives, but often I borrow from relatives or local lenders when banks delay or refuse. Insurance use is rare.

I mostly depend on local traders or moneylenders for quick cash. Banks feel too complicated, and insurance is not in my habit.

I have no real access to formal or informal finance. Whatever little I can arrange comes from personal savings. I avoid loans or schemes altogether.

Q5: Access to Government Programs and Entitlements for Incentives and Subsidies; The sarkar (government) keeps announcing many schemes for farmers — subsidies on drip irrigation, power, seeds, or fertilizers, crop insurance payouts, even incentives for organic/natural farming or FPOs. Some farmers make full use of these programs and stretch their rupee further. Others either don’t know, or find the paperwork too hard. Tell us honestly, how is your experience with government programs and entitlements?

I regularly access multiple schemes — subsidies, crop insurance, equipment support, even FPO or organic incentives. I know what is available and claim benefits on time.

I get benefits from some programs — like subsidy on drip irrigation or crop insurance — but I don’t know all the schemes. Still, what I get helps me reduce costs and risks.

I sometimes benefit, like when an officer tells me about a scheme or a neighbor guides me. But it is not regular. Many times, I miss out because I didn’t apply on time or lacked documents.

I find the schemes too complicated. The paperwork, visits to offices, and requirements put me off. So I hardly get any benefits, except maybe one small thing here and there.

I have no access to any schemes. I never got subsidy, insurance, or program support. I depend fully on my own resources or loans.

Review

Question :
Q1: Community Network – Social Capital (Community Support, Farmer Groups, etc.); Farming is not always a solo game. Some farmers join groups, cooperatives, or FPOs to share knowledge, buy inputs cheaper, or sell produce together. Others prefer to work alone, depending only on their own family. Think about your own situation — how connected are you with fellow farmers and community support networks?

I regularly interact with farmer friends and neighbours. We discuss problems, share small resources, and sometimes pool efforts. I’m not in a formal FPO or cooperative, but I am not alone either.

I have some loose connections — I ask neighbours for help during emergencies, and sometimes we share labour or information. But mostly I manage on my own.

I rarely interact with other farmers or groups. I prefer to work independently and rely only on my family. Sometimes this means higher costs or feeling isolated.

I have no real connection with other farmers or networks. I neither join groups nor seek advice. I face everything alone.

Your Answer:

Question :
Q2: Trade Relations and Market Linkages (Mandi, Direct Buyers, Contract Farming, etc.); Selling your harvest is often more stressful than growing it. Some farmers only depend on the local mandi, some sell to traders who come to the farm, and others try direct marketing, contracts, or even urban buyers. Tell us honestly — how do you usually sell your crops, and how strong are your buyer connections?

I have strong and stable buyer connections. I sell directly to companies, processors, or through contract farming. Payments come on time, prices are better, and I feel secure about my market.

I mix it up — sometimes mandi, sometimes private buyers. I know a few traders who trust my produce, so I can choose depending on the situation.

Mostly I take it to the mandi or nearest trader. I don’t bargain much — I just accept the going rate. At least I get quick cash, but I often feel the price is unfair.

I depend on just one middleman who picks up my produce. Prices are usually low, and sometimes payment is delayed, but I don’t have any other option.

I have no reliable buyer. Sometimes crops remain unsold or I sell in distress at throwaway rates. Marketing feels harder than farming itself.

Your Answer:

Question :
Q3: Access to Advisory Services (Extension, KVKs, Private Consultants, Agri-Startups, etc.); Farming decisions are tricky — from seed choice to pest control to marketing. Some farmers rely only on neighbours or dealers for advice, while others reach out to Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), government extension officers, private consultants, or even agri-startups for guidance. These advisory services can save time, reduce mistakes, and improve profits. How do you usually get advice and knowledge for your farm?

I actively use multiple advisory services — KVKs, extension officers, agri-startups, or private experts. I also attend trainings and apply what I learn. Advice is science-based and timely.

I regularly consult at least one good source — like KVK, government officers, or a trusted private consultant. I follow their advice most of the time.

I sometimes take advice from KVKs or trainings, but mostly I depend on local input dealers or experienced neighbours for guidance.

I rely almost fully on input dealers or traders for advice. I rarely connect with formal advisory services. Sometimes their suggestions work, sometimes they don’t.

I don’t seek advice from anyone. I follow my own experience or whatever I see others doing. I feel advisory services are not for me.

Your Answer:

Question :
Q4: Access to Financial/Institutional Support (Banks, Insurance, Cooperatives, FPOs, SHGs, etc.); Money is the fuel of farming — for seeds, fertilizers, labour, or even emergencies. Some farmers get loans from banks, cooperatives, or FPOs at low interest. Others rely on insurance, SHGs, or government programs. But many still depend on moneylenders or relatives, often at high cost. Tell us — what kind of financial and institutional support do you usually access for your farm?

I have strong access to banks, cooperatives, FPOs, and even insurance. I get timely loans at low rates, use insurance schemes, and sometimes benefit from SHGs or support programs.

I mostly use banks or cooperatives for loans and sometimes insurance. Support is there, though not always smooth, but it helps me manage costs and risks.

I sometimes get loans from banks or cooperatives, but often I borrow from relatives or local lenders when banks delay or refuse. Insurance use is rare.

I mostly depend on local traders or moneylenders for quick cash. Banks feel too complicated, and insurance is not in my habit.

I have no real access to formal or informal finance. Whatever little I can arrange comes from personal savings. I avoid loans or schemes altogether.

Your Answer:

Question :
Q5: Access to Government Programs and Entitlements for Incentives and Subsidies; The sarkar (government) keeps announcing many schemes for farmers — subsidies on drip irrigation, power, seeds, or fertilizers, crop insurance payouts, even incentives for organic/natural farming or FPOs. Some farmers make full use of these programs and stretch their rupee further. Others either don’t know, or find the paperwork too hard. Tell us honestly, how is your experience with government programs and entitlements?

I regularly access multiple schemes — subsidies, crop insurance, equipment support, even FPO or organic incentives. I know what is available and claim benefits on time.

I get benefits from some programs — like subsidy on drip irrigation or crop insurance — but I don’t know all the schemes. Still, what I get helps me reduce costs and risks.

I sometimes benefit, like when an officer tells me about a scheme or a neighbor guides me. But it is not regular. Many times, I miss out because I didn’t apply on time or lacked documents.

I find the schemes too complicated. The paperwork, visits to offices, and requirements put me off. So I hardly get any benefits, except maybe one small thing here and there.

I have no access to any schemes. I never got subsidy, insurance, or program support. I depend fully on my own resources or loans.

Your Answer:

Strong links mean fewer sinkholes—when networks back you up, even tough seasons feel like teamwork, not struggle. 🌱🤝