E-Tendering System for Arecanut in Karnataka: Stakeholders’ Perspective

Abstract

This paper aims to explore the perception of farmers, commission agents and traders about e-tendering system for arecanut in Karnataka. The present study was conducted in two major Agricultural Produce Market Committees (APMC) of Karnataka state, viz., Shivamogga APMC of Shivamogga district and Bheemasamudra APMC of Chitradurga district during 2019-20. The primary data were collected randomly from 50 farmers, 10 traders, and 10 commission agents involved in e-tendering of Arecanut from each of the selected APMCs. Thus, the total sample size was 140. The study also attempts to document the constraints faced by the stakeholders and their suggestions for the improvement of the system. The results indicated that the majority of the farmers (65.00%), traders (60.00%) and commission agents (50.00%) had a favourable perception about e-tendering system. Frequent price fluctuation was the major constraint confronted by the farmers and difficulty in rectifying the mistakes after quoting the price was the major issue for traders and commission agents. Majority of the farmers insisted on creating awareness about the operational aspects of e-tendering system, whereas traders demanded a provision to rectify mistakes after quoting the price. Results from the present study could provide a                                better understanding of the effectiveness and inherent problems associated with the e-tendering system.