Economic analysis of bullock marketing in the state level organised cattle fairs of Rajasthan

The present study was carried out to analyse the price spread and marketing efficiency of different bullock marketing channels in the state level cattle fairs of Rajasthan. There were six bullock marketing channels i.e., (1) Farmer-Farmer, (2) Farmer-Local Trader-Farmer, (3) Farmer-Local Trader, (4) Farmer-Distant Trader-Farmer, (5) Farmer-Distant Trader and (6) Farmer-Local Trader-Distant Trader. Marketing efficiency and producer farmers’ share in ultimate buyers’ rupee were the highest in channel 1 followed by channel 2 and channel 4 as price spread was the lowest in channel 1 followed by channel 2 and channel 4 across all three breed categories (non-descript, Haryana and Nagori). Transportation cost was found to be the major cost component both for sellers and buyers in all the six bullock marketing channels. Besides transportation, other major cost components were cost of feeding animals at fairs and miscellaneous expenses (including own expenditure). There were differences in the marketing costs across three breed categories both for sellers and buyers in all channels. The study suggested the need for government transportation facilities like railway and adequate feeds and fodder availability at reasonable price during the cattle fairs. Above all, government should bring more number of local cattle fairs under the ambit of regulation to further improve the efficiency of livestock marketing system in the state.