Bridging equity gaps in India’s paddy procurement system: a systematic review

Abstract

Ensuring equitable agricultural procurement systems is essential for improving the livelihood security of marginalised farming groups in India. This review examines the extent to which paddy procurement mechanisms address the needs of smallholder, tenant and women farmers. Following preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA)-guided screening, peer-reviewed articles, policy documents and empirical reports were analysed to identify the key factors influencing participation, including access to procurement centres, awareness of minimum support price (MSP), institutional constraints, land tenure issues and market structures. The findings indicate that, despite the expansion of procurement systems, their reach remains uneven due to structural and institutional barriers. Small and fragmented landholdings, lack of formal tenancy recognition, limited infrastructure and gender-based disparities continue to restrict participation in formal procurement channels. These patterns suggest that access conditions, institutional capacity and awareness levels play a decisive role in shaping participation outcomes rather than policy availability alone. The analysis further highlights that disparities in implementation across regions further influence the effectiveness of procurement systems. Future research should focus on evaluating the performance of digital procurement platforms, examining regional variations in policy implementation and analysing institutional mechanisms that promote the inclusion of marginalised farming groups, thereby strengthening the overall effectiveness and equity of procurement systems.