Framework for Financial Inclusion Barriers in the Agriculture Sector in India

Abstract

This study attempts to recognize obstacles and barriers to financial inclusion in the agriculture sector, propose a framework based on the inter-contextual link between the barriers and understand the financial exclusion in the agriculture sector at the grassroots level. Previously published research articles were used to identify the barriers to financial inclusion, followed by informal interviews and collaborative discussions with the local farmers of the Sonipat district of Haryana and expert interviews using a structured questionnaire. TISM and MICMAC analysis are used to decern the nature of the relationship among the barriers discovered. The authors find that inadequate financial literacy, a shortage of financial awareness and the reluctance of various financial institutions are significant linkage barriers to strong driving and dependence power. High transaction costs and poor infrastructural support are the independent barriers. The paper identifies these new barriers to financial inclusion in the Indian agriculture sector and the framework depicting financial exclusion in India. This paper only gives a framework of barriers and does not quantify the effect of any relationship identified, but strongly emphasizes granting the Indian agriculture sector broad and simple financial access to advance and strengthen the nation's sustainable, inclusive economic growth.

Citation

Mehta, N., Arora, S. and Gulia, D. (2024), "Framework for Financial Inclusion Barriers in the Agriculture Sector in India", Misra, R.K., Purankar, S.A., Goel, D., Kapoor, S. and Sharma, R.B. (Ed.) Resilient Businesses for Sustainability (Advanced Series in Management, Vol. 34A), Emerald Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 9-24. https://doi.org/10.1108/S1877-63612024000034A002