Volume-II, Issue-IV, May 2026
Novel Insights A Peer-Reviewed Quarterly Multidisciplinary Research Journal |
Volume-II, Issue-IV , May 2026 |
From Orchard to Market: An Econometric Assessment of Litchi Supply Chain Efficiency in Assam Binoy Ranjan Handique, Research Scholar, Department of Economics, Mahapurusha Srimanta Sankaradeva Viswavidyalaya, Nagaon, Assam, India Dr. Gitali Handique, Assistant Professor, Department of Extension Education, Faculty of Agriculture, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat, Assam, India Dr. Ajit Debnath, Associate Professor, Department of Economics, Mahapurusha Srimanta Sankaradeva Viswavidyalaya, Nagaon, Assam, India Email: ranjanhandique108@gmail.com |
Received: 09.05.2026 | Accepted: 16.05.2026 | Published Online: 31.05.2026 |
Page No: | DOI: 10.69655/novelinsights.vol.2.issue.04W.0 | |
Abstract | ||
Litchi is among the significant perishable agricultural crops in India and more so in Assam which is a crucial component of rural life and agricultural growth in the region. The nature of it being very perishable and effective supply chain is necessary to preserve quality, minimise post-harvest losses and price stability among stakeholders. Supply chain performance has a direct impact on the income of farmers, market efficiency, and economic sustainability. In the current study the efficiency of litchi supply chain in three production districts of Assam Sonitpur, Jorhat and Tinsukia were analysed. The analysis based on an econometric methodology evaluates the effect of the independent variables which include transportation cost, marketing cost, post-harvest losses and number of intermediaries on the effect of the price spread. Regression and correlation models have been developed using both simulated primary data and secondary data. The results indicate that the supply chain has serious inefficiencies in terms of high transportation costs, poor cold storage facilities and over-intermediation. These contribute to the widening of the producer-consumer price gap and therefore the share of the final value to the farmers is minimized. One of the points in the study is the necessity to have better logistics, better storage facilities and have more streamlined marketing channels. It ends with policy recommendations that are meant to make supply chain efficient, minimize losses and increase farmer income. Keywords: Litchi supply chain, price spread, transportation cost, post-harvest losses, market efficiency, Assam, intermediaries, econometric analysis | ||