Impact of Contract Farming on Small Farmers’ Income – Learnings from a Meta - Analysis

Abstract

The role of contract farming in increasing the economic condition of farmers is a focus area for the government, academics and media, particularly in the context of developing countries for some time. Several studies have been conducted but there is no consensus on this debatable issue. These studies are mostly single study. Campbell collaboration recently has conducted a meta-analysis considering large number of systematic reviews and single studies conducted across several countries. The report has been critically reviewed and the present paper is based on this critical review findings. The report indicates that contract farming is beneficial for large farmers but to what extent the small farmers are affected is not clear.