Indian Fruits & Vegetables Supply Chain Management

Abstract

Purpose: In recent years various issues and challenges are faced by Indian Fruits and Vegetables
sector particularly regarding the chain of supply system. To study the supply chain of Fruits and
Vegetables sector in our country a list of likely challenges and ways are suggested in this paper. The
main aim of this paper is to explain and discuss the issues which are affecting the supply chain of
fruits and vegetables sector. This paper tries to provide various strategies to overcome the identified
issues and challenges faced by this sector. Design/methodology/approach: The supply chain of Fruits
and Vegetables sector has been explained and attempt has been made towards identifying the issues
affecting the supply chain of the sector. The present study undertakes a thorough review of basic and
contemporary literature available and tries to explain the factors affecting the supply chain of Fruits
and Vegetables sector in India The literature has been divided into various themes according to the
issues in the supply chain and an investigation has been attempted to identify various factors affecting
the supply chain. (Descriptive research has been used for this study). Findings: The study found that
Cold 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 constitutes
serious challenges for Fruits and Vegetables sector and are affecting the overall growth of the
agricultural development of India. Research limitations/implications: The authors have focuses only
on Fruits and Vegetables sector, authors may look at other sector like food processing unit, cold
chain and other perishable items such as meat, dairy industry, chocolate, beverages etc. Practical
implications: Overcoming these issues and challenges will benefit the decision makers and various
stakeholders like the farmers, state government, transporters and food processing unit to understand
the current status, issues and challenges for better planning and management in the field of fruits and
vegetables supply chain. Originality/value: Most of the prior literature have been focused on the
general issues like cold chain, marketing efficiency etc. of fruit and vegetables supply chain. There
exists a need of having review on supply chain specifically in F&V sector, identifying all the factors
affecting it and suggest mitigation strategies. This review fills this gap in the literature of supply chain
management of Fruits and Vegetables sector.