Constraints in Marketing of Vegetables and Suggestions as Perceived by Farmers for Improving Vegetable Marketing in South Gujarat

Description

Page: 109-113

Swati Sharma (ASPEE Agribusiness Management Institute, Navsari Agricultural University, Navsari, Gujarat)

India ranks second in vegetable production in world after China. Agricultural produce of small and marginal farmers is often lost after production due to high post-harvest losses, inadequate market opportunities leading to poor price realization by farmers. In this concern Agricultural marketing plays an important role in assuring better returns to farmers and linking farmers to markets. As it aims to ensure good market place, higher profitable returns, increasing incomes of farmers and fair deals in selling of agri-produce. This study explores the socio-economic characteristics, reasons for growing vegetables, and marketing constraints faced by vegetable farmers in South Gujarat, specifically in the districts of Navsari, Surat, and Tapi. A purposive sampling method was employed to select 150 small and marginal vegetable farmers, with 50 respondents chosen from each district. Data were collected through personal interviews using a structured questionnaire. The study reveals that the majority of vegetable farmers were male (92%), with most holding educational qualifications up to higher secondary (46%). A significant portion of the farmers (48%) has over 15 years of farming experience, with small-scale farmers (68%) making up the majority. Financial factors, such as profitability and year-round income, were identified as key motivations for vegetable cultivation. Marketing constraints include perishability, poor price realization, and inadequate village markets. The suggestions to address these issues include improving access to cold storage, establishing direct farmer-consumer linkages, and providing market price information. The study highlights the need for targeted interventions to improve the economic stability and market access of vegetable farmers in the region.