Abstract
Developing a conceptual model is vital for small-scale organic farmer’s credit access to sustain the livelihoods. However, smallholders continually face severe problems in getting finance that lead to reduce investment and in turn, challenges the livelihoods. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to establish and empirically test a theoretical model to explore how agility and innovativeness in organic food value chain finance are achieved through ITI, TRST, CG, ICT, and IS, and how these, in turn, can accelerate financial flow in the value chain and enhance competitiveness. The present study used a survey method and collected data from small-scale farmers, traders, and financial institutions. The model and hypothesis are tested using data obtained from 331 respondents through partial least square structure equation modeling techniques. We argue that development of theoretical model show potential to increase creditworthiness of smallholders and overcome uncertainties that impede traditional value chain credit arrangement. Thus, the present study could provide new ways to integrate the value chain partners, through information and communication technology and governance arrangements in the organic food value chain financing. This study demonstrates that the mediations of innovativeness and agility significantly affect the development of new financial products to make agile the financial flow, which in turn positively influences value chain competitiveness. Significant judgments are required for trustworthy relations among the value chain partners to positively harness innovative product development for swifter value chain finance. Therefore, this theoretical model should not be regarded as a quick solution, but a process of testing, error, and learning by doing so.
Highlights
Wheat is the major crop of Pakistan, which is cultivated by 80% of farmers, comprising an area of approximately 9 million hectares, which is almost 40% of the entire cultivated area [1]
This study fills a gap in the literature on organic farming by investigating the impact of ITI, TRST, CG, IS and ICT on value chain competitiveness through the mediating effects of INNOV and AGLTY
We explore ITI, TRST, CG, IS, and ICT can facilitate AGLTY and INNOV, and have a substantially positive effect on value chain competitiveness
Summary
Wheat is the major crop of Pakistan, which is cultivated by 80% of farmers, comprising an area of approximately 9 million hectares, which is almost 40% of the entire cultivated area [1]. An increase in organic farming has created an opportunity for small-scale farmers of wheat, due to the high cost of synthetic fertilizer and the demand for organic food [2]. Organic wheat output in Pakistan is dominated by smallholder farmers, which provides a high return on investment and makes a significant contribution to farm incomes [4]. Organic producers either sell their produce at specified outlets or to larger certified firms [5, 6]. This suggests the critical relevance of wheat farming to the livelihood of small-scale farmers as well as the significance of organic food production
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