Indian Fruits & Vegetables Supply Chain Management

Ganesh Radhakrishnan

Abstract

Purpose: In recent years various issues and challenges are faced by Indian Fruits and Vegetablessector particularly regarding the chain of supply system. To study the supply chain of Fruits andVegetables sector in our country a list of likely challenges and ways are suggested in this paper. Themain aim of this paper is to explain and discuss the issues which are affecting the supply chain offruits and vegetables sector. This paper tries to provide various strategies to overcome the identifiedissues and challenges faced by this sector. Design/methodology/approach: The supply chain of Fruitsand Vegetables sector has been explained and attempt has been made towards identifying the issuesaffecting the supply chain of the sector. The present study undertakes a thorough review of basic andcontemporary literature available and tries to explain the factors affecting the supply chain of Fruitsand Vegetables sector in India The literature has been divided into various themes according to theissues in the supply chain and an investigation has been attempted to identify various factors affectingthe supply chain. (Descriptive research has been used for this study). Findings: The study found thatCold Chain Facilities; Fragmented Supply Chain; Linkages and Integration between the partners;Taxation Issue; Infrastructure Facilities; Cost of Packaging Material; Technology and Techniques;Farmer's Knowledge and Awareness; Quality and Safety standards; Processing and Value Addition;Supply Chain inefficiency; Farmers income; Supply chain losses and wastage of fresh produce;Transportation facilities; Demand and market information etc. are the factors which constitutesserious challenges for Fruits and Vegetables sector and are affecting the overall growth of theagricultural development of India. Research limitations/implications: The authors have focuses onlyon Fruits and Vegetables sector, authors may look at other sector like food processing unit, coldchain and other perishable items such as meat, dairy industry, chocolate, beverages etc. Practicalimplications: Overcoming these issues and challenges will benefit the decision makers and variousstakeholders like the farmers, state government, transporters and food processing unit to understandthe current status, issues and challenges for better planning and management in the field of fruits andvegetables supply chain. Originality/value: Most of the prior literature have been focused on thegeneral issues like cold chain, marketing efficiency etc. of fruit and vegetables supply chain. Thereexists a need of having review on supply chain specifically in F&V sector, identifying all the factorsaffecting it and suggest mitigation strategies. This review fills this gap in the literature of supply chainmanagement of Fruits and Vegetables sector.

Abstract

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