Measuring the Market Efficiency of Potato Supply Chain in Punjab, Pakistan

Abstract

Potato is a popular vegetable crop in Pakistan, both for consumers and growers. It is the most extensively consumed staple meal after wheat and rice, and comes in a variety of forms, including cooked, boiled, fries, chips, and snacks. A supply chain is the network of all the individuals, organizations, resources, activities and technology involved in the creation and sale of a product. Potato supply chain in Pakistan includes farm suppliers, producers, village dealers, commission agents, processors, exporters, and retailers, just like other agricultural products. This specific study was aimed to characterize and map the potato supply chain linkages between actors, processes and activities moreover, to calculate marketing efficiency at different level(s) of supply chain. The findings revealed the difference in potato supply chain among various chain actors. There was a lack of information among supply chain actors, consumers desire is not fulfilled by the supply chain actors. Potato supply chain actors faced problem because of no information sharing system. Farmers should use agricultural management techniques like crop rotation that increase crop productivity. Select a quality seed, and each actor in the supply chain must share information. Supply chain actors upgrade their practices for more profit to farmers and desired quality to consumers.