Adoption of Innovative Agricultural Practices Across the Vegetable Supply Chain
ABSTRACTIn India the vegetable supply chain has traditionally been fragmented since the majority of growers are smallholders with limited exposure to improved agricultural practices. This study analyzed behavior of 556 vegetable growers in 6 districts of Uttar Pradesh, India, concerning adoption of innovative agricultural practices: crop rotation, green manuring, crop diversification, sorting and grading of produce, and market and price analysis from crop establishment through postharvest and marketing. Most respondents were smallholders. For purposes of this report, vegetable growers have been divided into the relative classification of those with landholdings of 2 ha and differences in adoption behavior assessed. Those with <2 ha were inclined to adopt innovative farm practices. However, this class of grower continues to face challenges due to socioeconomic, farm level, and institutional constraints. Innovative agricultural practices among smallholders are required for supply chain efficiency...