Covid-19, disrupted vegetable supply chain and direct marketing: experiences from India
Journal of Agribusiness in Developing and Emerging Economies
ISSN: 2044-0839
Article publication date: 3 August 2021
Issue publication date: 20 January 2023
Abstract
Purpose
This paper examines the impact of the Covid-19 induced lockdown on selected vegetables to confirm if the vegetable supply chain was disrupted during that period. It attempts to see if direct marketing via FPOs/FPCs helped Indian farmers to cope with adverse situations aroused in vegetable marketing.
Design/methodology/approach
This study opted for mixed methods research. First, a granular data set comprising daily observation on wholesale price and the market arrival of vegetables were analysed. Descriptive statistics and Kalmogorov-Smirnov test were used to understand the severity of disruptions in the vegetable supply chain in India during the lockdown. Then, qualitative information from different stakeholders engaged in the vegetable marketing was collected through a phone survey and assessed using content analysis to comprehend how FPOs have helped farmer’s during this crisis.
Findings
This paper confirms disruptions in the vegetable supply chain. Quantities of chosen vegetables arriving in the mandis were significantly lower than in the previous year for all phases of lockdown. Consequently, prices were much higher than in 2019–2020 for both the lockdown and subsequent phases unlock. Results further suggest that those farmers who are already in networks of FPOs/FPCs are able to get benefited. It was also observed that direct marketing through institutional supports is being more explored in the regions where FPOs/FPCs already exist.
Research limitations/implications
Since it is an exploratory study involving a small sample, the research results may lack generalisability.
Originality/value
This study provides scope for direct marketing through FPOs/FPCs in improving the food supply chain.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
We would like to show our gratitude to “anonymous” reviewers for their valuable comments. AT is also immensely grateful to the Sharda University for providing the seed research fund to conduct this research work.
Citation
Tripathi, A., Bharti, N., Sardar, S. and Malik, S. (2023), "Covid-19, disrupted vegetable supply chain and direct marketing: experiences from India", Journal of Agribusiness in Developing and Emerging Economies, Vol. 13 No. 1, pp. 1-15. https://doi.org/10.1108/JADEE-04-2021-0095
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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