Fisheries Economics, Extension and Statistics Division, Central Institute of Fisheries Education, Mumbai – 400 061, Maharashtra.
Price spread and marketing efficiency have been studied for the fish species, namely pomfret and ribbon fish in the Rantangiri district of Maharashtra to suggest suitable technological and institutional interventions. Data were collected from 65 fishermen, 80 retailers, 15 auctioneers, 38 wholesalers, 27 processors and 55 vendors from four landing centres, viz. Mirkarwada, Rajiwada, Sakhartar and Mirya. The study has revealed that the fishermen share ranges between 73.54 per cent and 76.99 per cent in pomfret and between 53.77 per cent and 61.09 per cent for ribbon fish. A comparison of price spread across different channels has shown that it is lowest in channel II (Fishermen – Retailer/Vendor–Consumer) for both pomfret (Rs 62.76) and ribbon (Rs 19.10) fish. In the comparison of composite index of different channels also, channel II has been found to be most efficient. A comparison of Shepherd's index has also been done. The study has reflected economic rationality on the part of fishermen as they sell the produce to different buyers, seemingly depending upon the price elasticity of demand.
