Impact of Market Access on Input Use and Agricultural Productivity: Evidence from Indian Northwestern Himalayas

This study examined the specialization and intensification effects of market access on input use and agricultural productivity in the Indian Northwestern Himalayas. A stratified multistage sampling technique was employed to collect cross-sectional data from 240 farmers. The data were analyzed using a three-stage least square regression model. The findings of the study revealed that the farmers in the study area practiced six major farming systems, viz. crops + vegetables + fruits + dairy (C+V+F+D), crops + fruits + dairy (C+F+D), crops + vegetables + dairy (C+V+D), vegetables + fruits + dairy (V+F+D), crops + dairy (C+D) and fruits + dairy (F+D). The study further revealed that the use of inputs and agricultural productivity under all the farming systems increases with improvement in market access. It is suggested that the government should focus on enhancing road connectivity and ensuring easy availability of farm inputs in the study area.