Investigating the efficiency of various marketing models and problems of kinnow growers of Punjab§

Several marketing models are in practice in the Punjab state for marketing of kinnow, which vary in efficiency. In this study, the potential of marketing of kinnow in south-western districts of Punjab has been reported. It has used multistage random sampling consisting of six blocks, 12 villages, 120 farmers and different market functionaries at different stages of sample selection in three local markets, viz. Abohar, Malout and Maur and big kinnow-consuming markets of Delhi and Ludhiana. The seasonal indices signified that kinnow prices show negative response to arrivals and positive response to lagged prices. The study has shown that the kinnow growers suffered a loss by selling produce to pre-harvest contractors as their share in consumer rupee was low. It has been brought out in the study that kinnow growers would gain financially by selling their produce themselves in the markets. The lack of market information and marketing infrastructure, inadequate processing and post-harvest facilities and frequent price fluctuations have been identified as the major factors which inhibit expansion of kinnow cultivation in the state.