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<p>Horticulture contributes nearly 9–10% to the Gross State Domestic Product of Jammu and Kashmir and underpins rural livelihoods in the Union Territory, yet limited empirical evidence exists on how entrepreneurial behavioural attributes interact with techno-economic viability and structural constraints to influence hortipreneurship outcomes in the North-Western Himalayan region. The present study examined (i) socio-economic determinants of entrepreneurial behaviour, (ii) behavioural typologies, and (iii) techno-economic viability of major horticultural crops alongside infrastructural and institutional constraints. Primary data were collected from 250 horticultural entrepreneurs across five purposively selected districts of Jammu division using a multi-stage mixed sampling framework. Multiple Linear Regression, K-Means Clustering, Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA), and One-Way ANOVA were applied using R software. For the Multiple Linear Regression model (R<sup>2</sup> = 0.312, Adjusted R<sup>2</sup> = 0.297, F(5244) = 22.18, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.001), education (β = 0.206, <i>p</i> = 0.036) and farming experience (β = 0.112, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.001) significantly enhanced entrepreneurial behaviour, while landholding size exhibited a significant negative association (β = − 1.172, <i>p</i> = 0.040), indicating higher entrepreneurial intensity among smallholders. VIF diagnostics confirmed no multicollinearity concerns (all VIF &lt; 2.5). K-Means clustering (K = 3; average silhouette score = 0.42) identified three distinct typologies, with High-Potential Innovators (Cluster 3; N = 82; mean EBI = 59.45) demonstrating the strongest behavioural readiness but experiencing income stagnation due to structural barriers. The EFA solution (KMO = 0.74; Bartlett’s Test: χ<sup>2</sup> = 412.3, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.001; total variance explained = 68.4%) identified infrastructural deficiencies (cold storage loading = 0.88; processing facilities = 0.85) and institutional gaps (technical knowledge = 0.82; market information asymmetry = 0.78) as dominant constraints. Economic analysis revealed the superior viability of pecan cultivation in Poonch (BCR = 9.21) relative to traditional apple-based systems (BCR = 3.32). One-Way ANOVA confirmed statistically significant inter-district variation in entrepreneurial behaviour (F(4245) = 3.87, <i>p</i> = 0.005). The findings establish a ‘high-potential–low-realization’ dynamic in Himalayan hortipreneurship and underscore the need for integrated structural and policy interventions targeting cold chain infrastructure, credit access, and demand-driven extension services.</p>

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Structural determinants, economic dynamics, and technological gaps in horticultural entrepreneurship: evidence from the North-Western Himalayas

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年7月7日

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  • Jamyang Lahmo,
  • Poonam Parihar,
  • J. S. Manhas,
  • Mahital Jamwal

摘要

Horticulture contributes nearly 9–10% to the Gross State Domestic Product of Jammu and Kashmir and underpins rural livelihoods in the Union Territory, yet limited empirical evidence exists on how entrepreneurial behavioural attributes interact with techno-economic viability and structural constraints to influence hortipreneurship outcomes in the North-Western Himalayan region. The present study examined (i) socio-economic determinants of entrepreneurial behaviour, (ii) behavioural typologies, and (iii) techno-economic viability of major horticultural crops alongside infrastructural and institutional constraints. Primary data were collected from 250 horticultural entrepreneurs across five purposively selected districts of Jammu division using a multi-stage mixed sampling framework. Multiple Linear Regression, K-Means Clustering, Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA), and One-Way ANOVA were applied using R software. For the Multiple Linear Regression model (R2 = 0.312, Adjusted R2 = 0.297, F(5244) = 22.18, p < 0.001), education (β = 0.206, p = 0.036) and farming experience (β = 0.112, p < 0.001) significantly enhanced entrepreneurial behaviour, while landholding size exhibited a significant negative association (β = − 1.172, p = 0.040), indicating higher entrepreneurial intensity among smallholders. VIF diagnostics confirmed no multicollinearity concerns (all VIF < 2.5). K-Means clustering (K = 3; average silhouette score = 0.42) identified three distinct typologies, with High-Potential Innovators (Cluster 3; N = 82; mean EBI = 59.45) demonstrating the strongest behavioural readiness but experiencing income stagnation due to structural barriers. The EFA solution (KMO = 0.74; Bartlett’s Test: χ2 = 412.3, p < 0.001; total variance explained = 68.4%) identified infrastructural deficiencies (cold storage loading = 0.88; processing facilities = 0.85) and institutional gaps (technical knowledge = 0.82; market information asymmetry = 0.78) as dominant constraints. Economic analysis revealed the superior viability of pecan cultivation in Poonch (BCR = 9.21) relative to traditional apple-based systems (BCR = 3.32). One-Way ANOVA confirmed statistically significant inter-district variation in entrepreneurial behaviour (F(4245) = 3.87, p = 0.005). The findings establish a ‘high-potential–low-realization’ dynamic in Himalayan hortipreneurship and underscore the need for integrated structural and policy interventions targeting cold chain infrastructure, credit access, and demand-driven extension services.