Digital Platforms and Farmer Networks for Improving Bargaining Power and Direct Market Access in Corporate Partnerships
摘要
Indian smallholder farmers experience economic instability because they struggle to bargain in agricultural markets and have limited market access to variable prices and intermediary service utilization. Little over eight-fifths (85%) of farm owners hold ownerships in small or marginal categories which prevents them from building up their income potential. Digital platforms operated jointly by public entities and private companies enhance market systems that deal with agricultural commodities. DeHaat and Ninjacart along with AgriBazaar operate digital platforms that unite farmers to inputs purchases whereas providing prices and credit facilities and delivery services beyond mandi limits for direct corporate sales. To achieve 10,000 FPO facilities across the nation by 2027 the government created a development plan but present operations center around 5,700 facilities. This venture strengthens corporate participation while granting better market domination capabilities. Under the Digital Agriculture Mission (2021–2025) a digital platform works to join e-commerce operations with advisory support systems and land records databases. Digital solution adoption remains inconsistent because farmers have technology barriers and face female participation restrictions and worry that corporate entities will control the systems. The electronic National Agricultural Market platform of Karnataka makes price transparency possible through its operation of electronic market systems. Successful implementation of digital initiatives necessitates alignment across digital operations, institutional frameworks, and policy systems. Research evaluates the benefits of digital platforms and their influence on power dynamics within farmer networks regarding their negotiating capacity with corporates through market entry potential and organizational achievement in value-chain modernization.