If sustainable farmers’ income is a concern: the response strategies of agricultural supply chains

Purpose Agricultural supply chains (ASCs) play a significant role in improving farmers' incomes and responsively meeting customers' growing needs. Even when customers are ready to pay a premium, ASCs do not always make the most of the situation by facilitating efficient and effective deliveries of fresh produce. This leads to a decrease in farmers’ sustainable income. Consequently, this study aims to find and evaluate agri-supply chain management strategies (ASCMSs) that can help farmers increase their incomes in a sustainable way so they can meet their customers' growing demands. Design/methodology/approach This study adopts a hybrid methodology for analyzing the ASCMSs. It incorporates the fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (FAHP), performance value analysis (PVA), total interpretive structure modeling (TISM) and Fuzzy Matriced’ Impacts Croise´s Multiplication Applique´e a un Classement (FMICMAC). The integrated methodology is used to prioritize ASCMSs, categorize them and establish structural relationships through multidimensional models. Findings This research has generated a driver dependence diagram and structured digraph of ASCMSs. It serves to illustrate which ASCMSs are critical and should be prioritized in order to augment farmers’ incomes. Agricultural Supply Chain (ASC) practitioners and policymakers can improve farmers’ incomes by providing Cold Chain Infrastructure (CCI), Supply Chain Coordination (SCC), Material Handling and Maintenance (MHM) in an effective manner. The driver-dependent diagram supports this, showing that while the Reduced Obsolescence at Stakeholders (ROS) has a stronger dependence power, the CCI, SCC and MHM have a stronger driving power in increasing farmers' incomes. Research limitations/implications Implementing these strategies can lead to food security, a reduction in rural poverty and community development. Although the study is pertinent to developing and rural economies, any other business can use the suggested integrated framework. This study provides guidelines for policymakers and practitioners to enhance agri-supply chain effectiveness for improving farmers’ sustainable income. Originality/value The study’s particular focus has been on determining and evaluating the strategies that can more effectively increase farmers' earnings for the benefit of society and agribusinesses. Higher farmer earnings led to sustained development in rural areas of agrarian economies.