Assessment of the constraints in PHM and determinants of losses in grapes (Vitis vinifera): An ordered logistic regression analysis

Abstract

Grape (Vitis vinifera L.) is one of the major fruit crops of India and the largest grape producing states are Maharashtra followed by Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Mizoram and Andhra Pradesh. The glaring inefficiencies in the supply chain of grapes along with its perishable nature leads to huge losses. The study identified farm size, knowledge level, experience, training received, timely labour availability and distance from farm to market as significant determinants of the losses. Though a lot of research and extension has been done on the technologies for improved production and loss reduction, the adoption of the recommendations by the farmers has been found to be differential. Thus, we need to isolate the factors which hinder the adoption of such recommendations. The present study (2019–21) identified the major constraints as the high initial investment in infrastructure, lack of market intelligence system, unavailability of skilled labour, unavailability of timely chemicals and equipments and thus, chalks out the future strategy accordingly to minimise the losses.

Keywords

• Constraints, Determinants, Marketing, Ordered logistic regression, Post-harvest losses