Plant diseases caused by vector-transmitted viruses like begomovirus inflict serious damage in terms of yield and colossal loss in many crops, predominantly Chilli. Coupled with bleak farm awareness and lack of management options, they could severely hamper remuneration prospects. In this connection, the profitability of the farm level begomovirus management strategies has been analyzed in this study. A sample of 100 chilli farmers were surveyed with focus on their perceptions of begomovirus caused diseases. Findings revealed a majority of farmers (80 per cent) experienced cross loss due to viral diseases. Positive changes in output and production cost were also reported with the adoption of management strategies, which in turn were categorized in to: low, medium and high. Besides, it was also revealed that when compared with no management strategy, the change in the gross margin was 17 per cent, 26 per cent and 80 per cent after the adoption of low, medium and high level of management strategies, respectively.

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Vegetable crops have strong potential for income generation and making farming a viable proposition. But, the major constraints encountered by vegetable growers including perishability, market price fluctuation, and escalating cost of cultivation mar the prospects. This study has addressed farm profitability and value chain management aspects of tomato growers in the Salem, Dindigul and Krishnagiri districts of Tamil Nadu. A sample size of 300 respondents was used for the study. The study has revealed a skewed price spread at the farmers' end. At the same time, Shepherd's index has also been found very low (1.22), indicating market efficiency to be dismal. Though the majority of tomato growers perceived the need of vegetable clusters, 47 per cent of them were unaware of market intelligence services spearheaded by the use of information and communication technology (ICT) tools. The study has suggested leveraging the use of ICT tools to develop vegetable clusters in the vegetable intensification pathways. This will bring in not only horizontal integration of vegetable growers but also vertical integration of all members of the supply chain.

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