Which one of the following best describes the concept of 'Small Farmer Large Field'? 

The correct answer is option 2.Key Points
The 'Small Farmer Large Field' concept:

• It is an innovative approach where many small or marginal farmers in a particular area come together to pool their lands, synchronize agricultural operations, and collectively manage certain farming activities.
  • Hence, Option 2 is correct.

Breakdown of concept:

• Organizing Marginal Farmers:
  • Small farmers typically face issues like limited land, inadequate access to resources, and inefficiencies in agricultural production. By coming together, they can overcome these challenges by organizing themselves into groups.
• Harmonizing Agricultural Operations:
  • The group of small farmers harmonizes and synchronizes agricultural practices such as land preparation, sowing, irrigation, and harvesting.
  • This collective approach allows farmers to benefit from economies of scale, resulting in cost savings and improved productivity.
• Economies of Scale:
  • When many small farms are managed collectively, they operate more like large farm.
  • This increases bargaining power for purchasing inputs (such as seeds, fertilizers, and machinery) and selling produce, leading to better market access and higher income potential.
• Improved Efficiency and Resource Sharing:
  • By sharing resources like machinery, labor, and knowledge, the farmers can use advanced farming techniques and increase efficiency, which would otherwise be difficult for individual small farmers to achieve on their own.
• The SFLF model was piloted in two villages of Odisha, an eastern Indian state, with 112 farmers (35 females and 77 males).
  • The results of the pilot project showed that the model was effective in improving the livelihoods of small farmers.
  • The farmers who participated in the project were able to reduce their costs of production, increase their yields, and get a better price for their produce.
  • They also reported an increase in their income and a decrease in their indebtedness.