📄 Abstract
The tea industry plays a significant role in the economy of the Nilgiri District by providing employment, supporting rural livelihoods, and contributing to India's tea exports. However, tea growers, particularly smallholders, continue to face challenges related to market access, fluctuating prices, limited bargaining power, and inadequate integration with value network stakeholders. This study examines the relationship between market access and value network performance among tea growers in the Nilgiri District. The research focuses on the interactions between tea growers, bought leaf factories, cooperatives, Tea Board institutions, financial institutions, transport providers, wholesalers, retailers, and consumers to evaluate their contribution to value creation and market efficiency. Primary data will be collected through a structured questionnaire administered to tea growers, while secondary data will be obtained from government reports, Tea Board publications, journals, and industry sources. Statistical tools such as descriptive analysis, factor analysis, correlation, and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) may be employed to analyze the data. The study aims to identify the key determinants of market access, assess the effectiveness of stakeholder collaboration, and evaluate their impact on value network performance. The findings are expected to provide practical recommendations for policymakers, cooperatives, and tea industry stakeholders to strengthen market linkages, improve value creation, enhance growers' competitiveness, and promote the sustainable development of the tea sector in the Nilgiri District.
📚 How to Cite:
Dr. R. Devapriya, Mrs. S. Sulochana , MARKET ACCESS AND VALUE NETWORK PERFORMANCE OF TEA GROWERS IN NILGIRI DISTRICT , Volume 12 , Issue 9, September 2026, EPRA International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research (IJMR) , Pages: 240 - 243 , DOI: https://doi.org/10.36713/epra31472