A DIAGNOSTIC ANALYSIS OF STRENGTHS WEAKNESS OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES OF FARMER INTEREST GROUP OF GUAVA IN DINDUGUL DISTRICT

* M. R. Naveen kumar 1 and T. Rathakrishnan 2 . 1. Ph.D. Scholar, Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Sociology, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore. 2. Professor (Agricultural Extension), Thangapazham Agricultural College, Thirunelveli. ................................................................................................................. Manuscript Info Abstract ......................... ........................................................................ Manuscript History

A Farmer Interest Group (FIG) is a self-managed, independent group of farmers with a shared goal and interest, their activities shall be limited only by the needs and motivation of group members' itself. FIGs have the power to create a socioeconomic resolution in the rural areas of our country by producing tangible social assets. Due to its' long implementation period and gaining importance of group approaches, now it is opt time to perform a investigative study on strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and challenges of FIG. This study was conducted in Dindigul district. Five villages namely Old ayakudi, Vaeppanvalasu, Eramanayackanpatty, TKN pudhur and Rookvarpatty were selected deliberately due to the well-functioning of FIGs in and around. A total of one hundred respondents were selected at the rate of ten members from each group using simple random 850 SWOC analysis is a planning tool used to understand the Strength, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Challenges involved in a person, project, or in a business. It is defined as a process of generating information that is helpful in matching an organization or group's goals, programs and capacities to the social environment in which it operates. Hence for future upscaling of FIGs a clear understanding on existing strengths, weakness, opportunities and challenges in it is necessary, this research is believed to satisfy those requisites.
Literature Relevance:- Manimekalai (2004) found that in this twentyfirst century, we must take along an active people-centered and growth oriented poverty alleviation strategya strategy which seems to incorporate women's aspirations, dynamism and involvement. It is envisaged that self-help groups will play a vital role in such strategy. But there is a need for structural orientation of the groups to suit the requirements of new business. Asokhan (2006) stated that majority of the respondents suggested that they should be free without any political involvement (84.00%). Three-fourth (75.66%) of them expressed that they need training to be organized at local level. Similar percentage (74.33%) also expressed that the products are to be purchased by the government on contract basis. Other suggestion is that reduced interest rate for proper repayment of loans by the group members (70.33%).
Mary (2009) suggested the leadership development through rotation of responsibilities among the members, conducting systematic evaluation of the performance of SHG, tapping alternate credit delivery system, providing intensive need based and skill oriented training, breaking cultural, social barriers and inhibitions to enhance selfdevelopment and instill a sense of self confidence among rural population.. Meenakshi (2011) suggested that enhancing the loan amount (92.50%), low interest rate for long credit facilities (85.83%), simplify the loan procedures (80.00%) and marketing arrangement at taluk and district levels (72.50%) would pay way for group's upliftment.
Ayyappan (2014) insisted some suggestions for effective functioning of SHGs. Majority of the SHGs women suggested enhancing the loan amount standardization for SHGs products (85.00%), low interest rate for long term credit facilities (79.16%), capacity building trainings (73.33%) organize exhibition for displaying SHG's products through government market structure (75.00%), information on banking (74.16%) and leadership skill development training (66.66%) for their empowerment.

Methodology:-
For this study, Ex-post facto research design was followed. Dindigul district of Tamil Nadu was purposively selected for the effective functioning of the Farmers' Interest Group on Guava in Old ayakudi of Palani block. Old Ayakudi Guava market is one of the well-known guava markets in South India. Palani block was selected due to more farm holdings under guava and large number of guava growers. One hundred respondents were selected at the rate of ten members from each group using simple random sampling technique in the villages namely Old ayakudi, Vaeppanvalasu, Eramanayackanpatty, TKN pudhur and Rookvarpatty.. The data collection was done with the help of a well-structured interview schedule that was pre-tested in Theni district on the banana growers group were revised and used for the research. The various open-ended multiple responses on SWOC were recorded and based on percentage analysis tool the best responses were separated and accounted for the study.

Findings and Discussion:-
Strengths:-Good rapport building among members of FIG (55%), geographically conducive climate and soil suitability for guava production (40%) , mass dissemination of desired technology in no time to the agrarian society (36%), acquirement of social status (32%) and ensuring social cohesion (29%) were the identified strengths.

Conclusion:-
The frequent meetings that indeed creates a constructive "we feeling" may be the reason for the persistence of good rapport building among members of FIG. As most of the FIG members completed primary and secondary education, their record maintenance proficiency and skill regarding organizing meetings are somewhat less which leads to conflicts among FIG officials and FIG members. The FIG members perceived vast scope for implementation of value addition units like pulp industry and guava powder plants as the major opportunity itself through several meetings and exhibitions conducted by the state department of agriculture. FIG members being occupied their selves in several farming and non-farming occupations doesn't permit them to assemble at a common place in a common time, this in turn leads to less attendance on the demonstrations and meetings concerned with new innovative technologies and practices. Hence, obtaining the seed money from the government is also an lengthier process to win over in the mere future. Government's policy makers should consider the relevant research studies on farmer groups to understand the grass root level difficulties, which aside strengthen the farmer empowerment infrastructure in our agrarian nation.