Strengthening Sustainable Food Systems through Agri-Tech Startups: A Fuzzy DEMATEL Analysis of Critical Success Factors

Manu Sharma^1*Priyanka Gupta²Sudhanshu Joshi³

• ¹Department of Management Studies, Graphic Era Deemed to be University, Dehradun, India
• ²Department of Management Studies, Graphic Era University, Dehradun, India
• ³Doon University, Dehradun, India

The transformation of agri-food systems toward sustainability and responsibility is critical for achieving Sustainable Development Goal 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), especially in the context of developing countries. Agri-tech startups have become vital catalysts through technological advancements combined with innovative business strategies which solve agricultural chain problems, minimize waste and enhance product visibility. Their achievements rest on various environmental elements along with operational traits. The objective of this study is to determine and characterize the Critical Success Factors (CSFs) which affect Agri-tech start-up effectiveness when they enable sustainable agri-food supply chain systems. The study has utilized Multi-Criteria Decision-Making method to conduct the study following the Technology-Organization-Environment (T-O-E) framework. The research identifies 25 critical success factors from the existing literature. The most significant CSFs within the cause group consist of policy coordination, rural ecosystem readiness and innovation capacity. The analysis demonstrates how local alternative food networks serve community interests to meet modern global problems. The proposed research study is useful for assessing startup readiness and scalability in agri-food systems delivers theoretical interpretation as well as practical benefits.