Perceived constraints in agro-processing in unorganized agri-businesses: Learning from Trans-Gangetic Plains

RENU  BALAKRISHNAN; SANDEEP  MANN; ARVIND  KUMAR; ASHISH SANTOSH  MURAI; RAJIV  SHARMA; SACHIN  MITTAL; MANDEEP  SINGH

doi:10.56093/ijas.v94i3.148596

Authors

RENU BALAKRISHNAN ICAR-Central Institute of Post-Harvest Engineering and Technology, Ludhiana, Punjab 141 004, India
SANDEEP MANN ICAR-Central Institute of Post-Harvest Engineering and Technology, Ludhiana, Punjab 141 004, India
ARVIND KUMAR Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi
ASHISH SANTOSH MURAI ICAR-Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute, Ludhiana, Punjab
RAJIV SHARMA ICAR-Central Institute of Post-Harvest Engineering and Technology, Ludhiana, Punjab 141 004, India
SACHIN MITTAL Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, Eastern Regional Office, Kolkata
MANDEEP SINGH ICAR-Central Institute of Post-Harvest Engineering and Technology, Ludhiana, Punjab 141 004, India

https://doi.org/10.56093/ijas.v94i3.148596

Keywords:

Adoption, Agro-processing, Agri-business, Constraints, Post-harvest technology

Abstract

Agro-processing within the production catchment has the potential to enhance farmers’ income, reducing post- harvest losses, and generating rural employment in India. A study was carried out during 2019–22 to identify the constraints impacting performance of agro-processing units being run by the unorganized sector in Trans-Gangetic Plains. A total of 60 current and 60 potential agro-processing farmers were undertaken using simple random technique to carry out the study. A combination of quantitative and qualitative approaches were used in collecting data. Data were analyzed using Friedman's, Nemenyi's and Kruskal-Wallis's tests. Study highlighted the issues that current agro- processors encounter, various constraits including high interest rates, inadequate storage, few marketing avenues, slow information access, and expensive equipment maintenance. Further, the challenges faced by aspiring agro-processors were information deficits, marketing and high operating expenses. The insights suggest measures to promote the adoption of post-harvest technologies among stakeholders.

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