Topics in food security: Measuring performance and technology adoption in the public distribution system supply chain of Chhattisgarh, India

Shweta Chopra, Purdue University

Abstract

Food insecurity is a complex global problem. Approximately one in eight humans struggle daily with insufficient access to adequate nutrition. India accounts for the largest share of the world's food insecure, despite more than four decades of state subsidized and controlled food production, distribution and consumption through its public distribution system (PDS). Chhattisgarh is a key state representing the turnaround made possible through the implementation of administrative and technological innovations to improve transparency and efficiency in the PDS. The present dissertation examines in detail possible reasons underlying improvements in the performance of the PDS in Chhattisgarh. The objectives of this dissertation were: (i) to identify stakeholders in the public distribution system, specifically those involved in its rice supply chain; (ii) to understand how rice supply chain stakeholders interpreted indicators of agri-food supply chain performance; (iii) to examine technology acceptance and adoption among key stakeholders involved in food distribution, who were adopting a novel, mandatory e-governance intervention for increasing transparency and efficiency of operations; (iv) to situate existing models theorizing technology acceptance in the context of public food distribution in Chhattisgarh, India by integrating existing and new variables into a technology acceptance model predicting both direct and indirect effects on stakeholder satisfaction with technology. Objectives (i) and (ii) were achieved through a descriptive, exploratory case study was designed to generate and analyze observational, interview, document-based and archival data. The objective was to understand how empirically derived measures of agri-food supply chain performance assume relevance for stakeholders in the rice supply chain of Chhattisgarh's PDS. It was found that multiple stakeholders including farmers, the Chhattisgarh Marketing Federation (CGMARKFED), rice millers, the Chhattisgarh State Civil Supplies Corporation (CGSCSC), the Food Corporation of India (FCI), Fair Price Shops (FPSs), and beneficiaries, operating across the public and private sectors constitute the rice supply chain of Chhattisgarh. Stakeholders exhibit considerable variation from the literature with regard to their perception of key indicators for measuring agri-food supply chain performance. Specific performance indicators assume importance at different stages in the rice supply chain. Farmers and rice millers reported measuring flexibility and efficiency during procurement and distribution respectively. Whereas, flexibility and efficiency measures were not observed being measured during storage. Responsiveness was emphasized by state organizations responsible for procurement and storage, rice millers during processing, and fair price shops that are responsible for distributing food to beneficiaries. The quality of food remained a prime concern for all stakeholders across procurement, processing, storage, and, distribution. It is proposed that stakeholder needs may be better addressed by adapting performance indicators from the literature to better meet their context of use. Objectives (iii) and (iv) were realized through the validation of a model drawing on the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) (cite) to predict the direct and indirect influences on the satisfaction of fair price shop (FPS) salesperson using smart card-based POS machines to distribute food to households in Chhattisgarh. It was found that the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology is a reliable and valid model explaining the adoption of technology by stakeholders in the PDS. In addition, several contextual factors including age, education level, experience with technology, and experience with operations were observed to moderate the impact of key UTAUT variables on salesperson satisfaction with smart card-based POS machines. In sum, the results discussed herein highlight the importance and need for continued research on the locally relevant methods and measures for technology adoption and performance measurement in agricultural supply chains.

Degree

Ph.D.

Advisors

Laux, Purdue University.

Subject Area

South Asian Studies|Social structure

COinS