Information empowers vegetable supply chain: A study of information needs and sharing strategies among farmers and vendors

Bu Zhong, Fan Yang, Yen Lin Chen

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

14 Scopus citations

Abstract

Agricultural extension systems often fail due to inadequate knowledge of farmers' information needs and sharing strategies. This study aims to meet an urgent need of studying information needs and sharing strategies among vegetable farmers and vendors in Chengdu, China, whose results might be used in building a center of agricultural information disseminating vegetable production and marketing information. The findings disclose interesting differences between the farmers and vendors regarding their willingness to join such a center, information needs, sharing strategies and preferred information sources. Ample evidences justify the construction of the proposed center of agricultural information, which should not only empower the vegetable farmers and vendors but also enhance the efficiency of the existing vegetable supply chain and food security. Cross-discipline research involving both agriculture and communication scholars, like this, should shed more insights on working out strategies to cope with agricultural challenges.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)81-90
Number of pages10
JournalComputers and Electronics in Agriculture
Volume117
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 1 2015

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Forestry
  • Agronomy and Crop Science
  • Computer Science Applications
  • Horticulture

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