Centralized Storage Facilities as a Strategic Development Tool for Agriculture:

Evidence from Sabarkantha District, Gujarat

Abstract

This study analyzes the feasibility and strategy framework for the establishment of centralized storage facilities as a mechanism for agricultural advancement, Sample from Sabarkantha District, Gujarat, a significant producer of perishable agriculture products. A cross-sectional quantitative survey was administered to 200 farmers and 68 Warehouse Owners across five talukas. The 25-item instrument demonstrated good reliability (Cronbach's α: Farmers=0.847, Warehouse Owner=0.812). Analysis employed descriptive statistics, Chi-Square tests, independent samples t-tests, One-Way ANOVA, Pearson correlation, and multiple linear regression. Overall acceptance of centralized storage is remarkably high among farmers (M=4.68/5.00, SD=0.50) and Warehouse Owner (M=4.79/5.00, SD=0.41), with no significant variation across demographic or geographic segments (Chi-Square: all p>0.05; ANOVA: F(3,196)=0.449, p=0.718). Post-harvest losses are significantly higher among marginal farmers (M=4.12) compared to large farmers (M=3.08; t(90)=5.591, p<0.001, Cohen's d=1.176). Cold chain gap is the dominant predictor of strategic importance for Warehouse Owner (β=0.482, p<0.001), while income stability expectation is the strongest predictor of farmer acceptance (β=0.235, p<0.001). The regression models explain 67.6% (farmers) and 72.6% (Warehouse Owner) of variance in acceptance. Recommended is a Cooperative-PPP hybrid model with 60% cold/cool storage capacity, tiered pricing for smallholders, e-NAM integration, and location at Himmatnagar. The study confirms a dual-pathway acceptance paradigm of agricultural infrastructure planning that may be replicated. This study experimentally establishes demographic invariance of infrastructure adoption and identifies different motivating paths for farmers (economic aspiration) and Warehouse Owner (infrastructure shortage), adding to the agricultural infrastructure theory and policy.