SOCIO-ECONOMIC DETERMINANTS OF E-NAM ADOPTION AMONG AGRICULTURAL STAKEHOLDERS IN EASTERN UTTAR PRADESH

Abstract

The present study was conducted with the objective to compare the socio-economic profile of e-NAM
adopters and non-adopters among agricultural stakeholders of Eastern Uttar Pradesh. The present study
was conducted in five e-NAM-registered mandis of Bahraich, Gorakhpur, Prayagraj, Sultanpur and
Pratapgarh districts representing different agro-climatic zones of the region. The investigation employed
an ex-post facto research design. Total 320 respondents were selected by adopting random sampling
technique (Farmers, Traders, Commission Agents and Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs)). The data
was collected with the help of a structured interview schedule and analyzed by using frequency,
percentage, mean and standard deviation. The results revealed significant socio-economic variations
among the adopters and non-adopters of e-NAM. Adopters were younger, better educated and more
economically progressive than non-adopters. 52.00 percent of the adopters in farmers were middle age
group and 44.00 percent of the non-adopters were old age group. Adopters were more educated, had
higher annual income, owned a smartphone, had larger land holding and market access. Similar trends
were also seen among traders, commission agents and FPOs. The study concludes that education,
economic status, digital access and market connectivity are important characteristics associated with
participation in digital agricultural marketing platforms.