FARMER PERCEPTIONS AND HORTICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT IN HIMACHAL PRADESH: A COMPREHENSIVE MIXED-METHODS ANALYSIS OF POLICY AWARENESS, SUPPLY CHAIN INFRASTRUCTURE, AND EXTENSION SERVICES

Abstract

Horticultural development represents critical pathway for rural economic advancement in mountainous regions. Himachal Pradesh, contributing 12-15% of India's horticultural production, provides ideal context for examining farmer perspectives on sectoral development determinants.This study investigated farmer perceptions of horticultural development, examining policy awareness, supply chain infrastructure, extension services utilization, and perception determinants using comprehensive mixed-methods analysis. Sequential mixed-methods design integrated quantitative cross-sectional survey (n=450) with qualitative semi-structured interviews (n=60). Multistage stratified random sampling across eight districts. Data collection June–September 2024. Analysis employed descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and binary logistic regression (SPSS 26.0, p<0.05). Qualitative thematic analysis with triangulation. Demographic analysis revealed 43.3% aged 35-50 years, 54.4% secondary/higher secondary education, 77.8% holdings <2 hectares. Policy awareness varied significantly: Kisan Credit Card (75.6%), National Horticulture Mission (63.3%), e-NAM (32.2%). Supply chain infrastructure showed systematic inadequacies: 68% lacking cold storage, 71.6% without digital market information, 64.4% lacking direct linkages, intermediary margins 25-35%. Extension utilization: 63.3% government officers versus 14.4% online courses, indicating persistent digital divide. Binary logistic regression (Nagelkerke R²=0.742, model χ²=287.45, p<0.001) identified significant predictors: supply chain satisfaction (OR=2.08, p<0.001), farmer education graduate versus primary (OR=2.33, p<0.001), farm size >2ha versus <1ha (OR=1.86, p=0.002), technology adoption score (OR=1.84, p<0.001), extension services access (OR=1.68, p=0.002), policy awareness index (OR=1.58, p=0.001), credit access (OR=1.56, p=0.026), market information access (OR=1.48, p=0.023), with age showing inverse association (OR=0.79 per decade, p=0.009).  Farmer perceptions fundamentally shaped by tangible supply chain infrastructure functionality and educational capacity rather than solely policy awareness. Supply chain satisfaction emerged as strongest perception predictor, surpassing policy awareness, emphasizing infrastructure primacy over policy announcements. Critical implementation gaps exist for transformative digital platforms (e-NAM awareness 32.2%). Heterogeneous farmer demographics necessitate differentiated intervention strategies.