International Journal of Agriculture Extension and Social Development

author(s)
Neha Kambalapally, A Satish Reddy, CH Srilatha and A Meena

abstract
The efficient procurement of organic grains is vital for ensuring product availability, quality, and cost-effectiveness across the supply chain. This study assesses procurement processes in the organic grain sector, identifying operational gaps and analyzing supplier selection criteria through primary data collected from 30 suppliers, including farmers, Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), and traders, using structured questionnaires. Descriptive statistics and Likert scaling were employed to evaluate key procurement performance indicators such as cost of procurement, supplier reliability, and lead time. The findings reveal that quality, certification, and consistent supply are the most influential criteria for supplier selection, while inefficiencies in price negotiation, communication delays, and procurement planning hinder cost efficiency and supply chain responsiveness. Supporting the hypothesis that supplier criteria significantly influence procurement outcomes, the study recommends strengthening supplier relationships, digitizing procurement tracking, and implementing performance-based selection models to optimize procurement operations in organic agri-supply chains.