UPSC Mains 2018 GS3 Q4 — Supply Chain Management
Examine the role of supermarkets in supply chain management of fruits, vegetables and food items. How do they eliminate number of intermediaries? (Answer in 150 words)
Question Decoded — examiner's intent
- Directive verbs
- Examine
- Scope keywords
- supermarketssupply chain managementfruits, vegetables and food itemseliminate number of intermediaries
- Implicit sub-parts
- Mechanisms of direct sourcing and contract farming used by supermarkets.
- The role of cold-chain infrastructure and technology in reducing post-harvest losses.
- The specific shift from 'Push-based' (traditional) to 'Pull-based' (supermarket) supply chains.
- Impact on price discovery and the reduction of the 'farm-to-fork' spread.
- Common pitfalls
- Focusing too much on the benefits to consumers (discounts) while ignoring the structural supply chain changes.
- Neglecting the mention of food items beyond fresh produce, such as processed goods and staple management.
- Failing to mention the 'Big Data' and 'Inventory Management' aspect which is central to modern supermarket supply chains.
- Ignoring the negative implications or challenges, such as the displacement of traditional 'Arhtiyas' or small retailers.
- Dimensions required
- Economic (efficiency and value addition)Technological (logistics and cold storage)Infrastructural (back-end integration)Socio-economic (farmer-retailer relationship)
- Marks allocation hint
Spend approximately 30 words on the introductory role of supermarkets in modernizing retail. Allocate 60 words to the core 'Examine' part focusing on quality control and logistics, and another 60 words specifically on the structural elimination of middlemen through direct procurement models.
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