Title: Community-based agri-chain network: sustainable alternate pathway towards development in India

Authors: Rohit Joshi; Sanjeeb Kakoty; Rohit Dwivedi

Addresses: Indian Institute of Management, Shillong Mayurbhanj Complex, Nonghtymmai, Shillong, Meghalaya, 793 014, India ' Indian Institute of Management, Shillong Mayurbhanj Complex, Nonghtymmai, Shillong, Meghalaya, 793 014, India ' Indian Institute of Management, Shillong Mayurbhanj Complex, Nonghtymmai, Shillong, Meghalaya, 793 014, India

Abstract: The public distribution system (PDS) in India is a reform initiated way back. This scheme was started with the stated objective of providing food grain, ensuring the welfare of poor and maintaining price stability for the essential commodities for all citizens. However, because of a number of factors such as insufficient management, lack of proper targeting, etc., the functions of PDS never matched with its intended objective. Through the case study methodology a thorough analysis is done in Assam, a state of India, on various issues linked with supply chain of agricultural commodities, from farmer side production to customer side consumption, including subsidy, cost, price fluctuation, transportation, storage, agriculture trade, etc. The paper tried to seek an alternative pathway towards the mandate of Assam PDS by a sustainable architecture which would base itself on the strengths of the community but organising and supported by a redesigned professional structure.

Keywords: social democracy; farmers; poverty; community-based agri-chain networks; public distribution systems; PDS; India; sustainability; sustainable development; case study; agricultural products; agriculture; subsidies; costs; price fluctuations; transport; storage; trade; agricultural supply chains; supply chain management; SCM.

DOI: 10.1504/IJICBM.2016.079812

International Journal of Indian Culture and Business Management, 2016 Vol.13 No.4, pp.415 - 449

Received: 17 Jul 2015
Accepted: 25 Oct 2015

Published online: 16 Oct 2016 *

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