Supply Chain Analysis of Seed Potato in Punjab

The present study was carried out to analyze the supply chain of seed potatoes in Punjab. Primary data was collected from 25 potato growers from three state districts to fulfill the study’s objectives. The study has also covered 35 marketing intermediaries to examine the cost and return from the different potato supply chains. The study has identified the four supply chains of seed potatoes referred to hereafter as SPSCs. The producer’s sale price was the highest in the case of SPSC-II (Rs 2147.56/q) and the lowest in the case of SPSC-I (Rs 1335.60/q). The total marketing cost was the highest in SPSC-III (Rs 518.26/q) and the lowest was reported for SPSC-II (Rs 352.44/q), the reason being the less involvement of intermediaries in this supply chain. The producer’s share in the consumer rupee was the highest for SPSC-II and the lowest for SPSC-III. The study pointed out the role of awareness generation, price incentives, and better infrastructure facilities for potato growers to encourage them to use potato supply chains that could enhance farmer’s returns. It also focuses on capacity building for quality production and the encouragement of FPOs to boost potato production and procurement. The expansion of potato cultivation and better integration of the farmers with supply chains will contribute towards sustainable crop diversification in Punjab.