A Mixed-Methods Approach to Discover the Relationship of Sustainable Agriculture-Based Value Chain Integration and Market Access for Smallholder Farmers
Abstract
Market access (MA) and value chain integration (VCI) are problematic in India, but smallholder farmers (SF) are vital for multiple developing countries' agricultural sectors. Differences between regions in agricultural environments, socioeconomic setups, education levels, and formal support mechanisms have limited Indian farmers' VCI. Farmers in Nimar and Vindhya have more logistical problems and low-income participation relative to those in the Malwa Plateau, who have better organizational skills and MA. Cultural and social standards limit studies for women in traditional regions. This mixed-methods study addresses how agricultural mediators and organizations impact MA and VAI's benefits and drawbacks in the Malwa Plateau, Nimar, and Vindhya districts. In Nimar and Vindhya, VAI can be boosted by investing in physical infrastructure, adopting a cross-sectional method, minimizing transportation costs (TC), improving MA, cultivating network collaboration, and providing proper farming support. While VCI has significantly increased farmers' income, regional disparities impede the establishment and implementation of MA. This study groups farmers by region, organization, and crop yield using random samples' quantitative and qualitative data. Surveys, interviews, and market data from 236 Madhya Pradesh SF with > 2 ha were collected to ensure data reliability. Sample data show 40% of farmers are from the Malwa Plateau and 35% from Nimar. The findings show that MA needs supportive relationships and specific methods to lower TC, improve setups, and increase farmers' market participation. The study proposes measures to optimize VCI and boost economic development for SF in India's unique agricultural environment to increase farmer income by 15% while minimizing TC by 20%.