Published Online:November 2025
Product Name:The IUP Journal of Operations Management
Product Type:Article
Product Code:IJOM021125
DOI:10.71329/IUPJOM/2025.24.4.36-75
Author Name:Vikas Kumar and Kulbhushan Chandel
Availability:YES
Subject/Domain:Management
Download Format:PDF
Pages:36-75
Public programs for horticulture in Himachal Pradesh are expanding, yet their direct effects on farm performance remain insufficiently documented. This study evaluates how market access, government support, post-harvest losses, and household income relate to productivity within the state’s horticulture supply chain, with a view to assessing current policy design and delivery. A mixed-methods design was used: quantitative analysis (multiple regression and ANOVA) was complemented by qualitative evidence from semi-structured interviews with farmers and agricultural experts. Triangulated results show that better market access, targeted government support, and higher income levels are each positively associated with farm productivity. At the same time, post-harvest losses persist as a major constraint, largely linked to infrastructure gaps and weak post-harvest management practices. The study’s contribution lies in bringing statistical evidence together with field-based insights to provide a state-specific view of policy impacts. Based on the findings, the paper recommends streamlining access to subsidies, investing in storage and coldchain infrastructure, and strengthening market linkages, including aggregation and information services.
Horticulture plays a central role in Himachal Pradesh’s rural economy and employment. The state’s subtropical to temperate climate supports a wide basket of fruits, vegetables,