Production and marketing of vegetables in Manipur some policy issues

Using Archarya's modified method, the marketing efficiency of vegetables in Manipur was measured and the factors affecting marketing efficiency were analyzed. The economics of production of vegetable in Manipur was also calculated. Perishable nature of the vegetables, lack of proper storage and processing facilities, lack of information and presence of number of middlemen in vegetable market lead to a wide range of fluctuation in prices which affect both farmers and consumers. The benefit cost ratio over total cost was found to vary from 2.30 for cabbage to 5.76 for tomato. Maximum quantity of tomato in the sample area was marketed through Channell (Producer-Retailer-Consumer) and cabbage through Channel 3 (Producer-Wholesaler -Retailer -Consumer). Marketing cost and marketing margin vary considerably from channel to channel and were related directly to the length of the channel, i.e., longer the channel, more were the marketing cost and marketing margin. In other words, the more the numbers of intermediaries involved between the producer and the ultimate consumers, the more is the marketing cost and marketing margin of the intermediaries. The price paid by the consumer increased with the increase in the length of the marketing channel or with the increased in the numbers of intermediaries involved between the producer and the ultimate consumers. As the length of channel increases the price spread also increases and vice-versa. Marketing efficiency is inversely related with the length of the channel. The marketing efficiency of vegetable (tomato and cabbage) in Manipur is significantly affected by marketing cost, marketing margin, open market price, volume of produce handled and by transport. The marketing efficiency will increase with the decrease in the marketing cost, transport cost and open market price and with the increase in the marketing margin and volume of the produce handled. As indicated by the preceding results, the Farmers retailers -consumers channel in vegetables marketing gave the highest efficiency. A farmer's market model may be developed particularly for vegetables with basic infrastructure such as store house, weighting, drinking water, electricity and night halt facilities. The system successfully integrates many producers with consumers/retailers, eliminates middlemen, cuts maximum marketing cost, provides good market infrastructure and environment. One such leading example is Uzahavar Sandai in Tamilnadu, Apni Mandi in Punjab and Rajasthan, Rythu Bazar in Andhra Pradesh and Raithara Santhegalu in Kamataka.