SITARAMBABU, V.VYSHNAVI, VUDUMULA2022-08-042022-08-042022-08-04D6201https://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/5810186048IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT OF VEGETABLES IN GUNTUR DISTRICT OF ANDHRA PRADESHHorticulture in India contributes about 30 per cent to Agricultural GDP. Total horticulture production in 2019-20 is 0.84 per cent higher than 2018-19. In Andhra Pradesh area under horticulture crops is 17.48 lakh hectares with a production of 312.34.73 lakh metric tonnes. In Guntur district total area under vegetable crops in 2019-2020 is 8739 hectares and production is 281240 million tonnes. The Covid-19 pandemic has emerged as a significant health risk, and countries around the world have responded with partial shutdowns of their economies to slow the pace of infections. These measures have reportedly led to massive disruptions in the global and domestic supply chains. Among all countries, India implemented one of the most stringent lockdowns to contain Covid-19 which could have put a strain on its supply chains. The first nationwide lockdown which was announced on March 24, 2020, was unanticipated, both in terms of timing and duration. Though the lockdown helped to keep the infections under control, it has disrupted the value chains of the high-value crops that are connected to regional and global markets. This disruption in the value chain could have serious ripple effects on the agricultural economy. It curtailed all economic activities, including transportation of goods, except those deemed essential like food and medical supplies. The reduction in freight services combined with the restrictions on inter-state transportation could have disrupted the food supply chains, with a larger impact on products that are procured from far. Wholesale prices of key seasonal vegetables have declined sharply by up to 60 per cent across the country, mainly due to higher production, compression of demand and market disruption amid COVID-19crisis. Keeping in view of disruptions caused by COVID-19 pandemic, the present study on Impact of covid 19 on supply chain management of vegetables in guntur district of Andhra Pradesh is proposed with the following objectives. xiii 1. to map the value chain mapping and analyse the degree of value addition by market players in transacting selected vegetables during pre-COVID-19 vs post COVID-19 scenario 2. to analyse the determinants of supply chain preference among selected farmers in transacting the vegetables 3. to identify the disruptions caused in supply chain of selected vegetables to different stakeholders due to COVID-19 4. to analyse the economic effect due to the disruptions in supply chain of vegetables to different stakeholders and 5. to identify various mitigating strategies adopted by different stakeholders in supply chain management during the COVID-19 pandemic. Guntur district was purposively selected for the research study. A total 360 farmers were selected at the rate120 farmers for each vegetable crop. Twenty wholesalers and 30 retailers were selected for the study. Primary data was collected through personal interview method from vegetable farmers. The secondary data of the study area were collected from the District Chief Planning Officer, Mandal Horticulture Officers, Village Horticulture Assistants and Village Agriculture Assistants. Three marketing channels were identified for bhendi, cucumber and ridge gourd they were channel I: Farmer-wholesaler-retailer-consumer, Channel II: Farmer-Retailer-Consumer and Channel III: Farmer- Consumer (Rythu bazar). Channel-III was found to be the efficient channel during both pre and post covid period. Marketing costs increased during lockdown for all stakeholders in all the three channels for three vegetables. Marketing margin was increased for retailers during lockdown in Channel I and Channel II. Price spread was increased during lockdown in all the three channels. Marketing efficiency decreased during lockdown in all the three channels. Degree of value addition increased for retailers during lockdown. COVID-19 lockdown had caused negative impact on all stakeholders, farmers had more impact and although margin had increased for retailers, they had negative impact because of lower volume transactions. The multinomial logit regression analysis was used to estimate the determinants of supply chain preference. The level of education, price offered, quantity of vegetables sold, family size and farming experience were significant in retail channel in bhendi and ridge gourd whereas level of education, price offered, quantity of vegetables sold were found to be significant in rythu bazar channel. In cucumber level of education, price offered, quantity of vegetables sold and family size were significant in retail channel while the level of education, price offered, quantity of vegetables sold were found to be significant in rythu bazar channel. xiv The major marketing disruptions faced by farmers during COVID-19 lockdown were high cost of transportation, perishable nature of the product, price fluctuations, less demand, lack of market information, non-availability of packaging materials and middlemen malpractices. The economic disruptions faced by the farmer were high cost of inputs, unawareness of credit facilities, no financial assistance and Lack of price policy. The technical disruptions faced by the farmer were non-availability of labour, lack of storage, lack of timely availability of inputs and lack of adequate extension support. The major disruptions faced by wholesaler were transportation cost, high cost of labour, and non-availability of labour. The major disruptions faced by the retailers were transportation cost, high labour cost and non-availability of labour. Majority of farmers experienced decline in sales and income during the pandemic. Over 32.5 per cent farmers lost half of their sales. The farm income decreased more than half for 61 per cent farmers. Almost 80 per cent of farmers realised decline in prices. 88 per cent farmers said that they spent more on transporting vegetables to the market, 69.5 per cent farmers faced labour scarcity, 11 per cent farmers faced more shortage of inputs, 61 per cent farmers said that the cost of inputs was increased, 69 per cent farmers harvested their produce later than normal, 75 per cent farmers spent more on harvest and 69 per cent farmers borrowed money to cope up with losses. About 50 per cent of wholesalers reported that their income had decreased during the COVID-19. Forty-five per cent reported that the price of the commodity decreased by more than half. Seventy-five per cent of wholesalers experienced labour scarcity, 85 per cent observed decreased demand of commodity and 25 per cent saw decreased supply. Similarly, 66.67 per cent of retailers reported that their income was decreased by less than half compared to pre covid times. About 20 per cent reported that the price of commodity decreased by less than half, 13.33 per cent reported that the price commodity decreased by more than half and 66.66 per cent reported that the price of the commodity increased. Majority of the retailers experienced labour scarcity, 20 per cent reported decreased demand of commodity and 36 per cent observed decreased supply. Most common strategy adapted by farmers was reduced price (60 per cent) followed by leave vegetables in the field (54 per cent), finding new markets (50 per cent), Compost vegetable (36 per cent), Feed to livestock (25 per cent), Plant less (20 per cent), Eat own produce (20 per cent), Sharing vegetables with others (15 per cent), Adapt crop choice (4 per cent). The major strategy adapted by wholesalers was less prices (80 per cent), followed by buying less (70 per cent) and storing more (20 per cent). The major strategy adapted by retailers was buying less (45 per cent) followed by storing more (30 per cent) and less prices (5 per cent).EnglishThesis