Imperfections in Marketing of Tamarind: A Study of Bastar District of Chhattisgarh

The present paper reveals that amongst all the NTFPs tamarind contributes highest income with 39.22 per cent having three different marketing channels in Bastar district, Channel-I (Collector-Consumer), Channel-II (Collector-Local retailer (Kochia)-Wholesaler-Consumer) and Channel-Ill (Collector-CGMFPFED (via commission agent)-Consumer). The producer's share of consumer rupee was found highest for Channel-I at 89.57per cent, followed by 50.63 and 34.34 per cent in Channel-II and III, respectively. The net margin for kochia and wholesaler were 14.48 and 22.28 per cent respectively in Channel-II and 49.84 per cent for CGMFPFED in Channel-Ill. The total marketing cost was highest at Rs. 790.90 for Channel-I, due to processing, packaging and grading, followed by Rs. 359.35 and 195.00 for Channel-II & I respectively. The very low price of tamarind, lack of transport, storage and finance facilities followed by high level of exploitation by traders often discourages the gatherers interest for tamarind marketing.