Marketing of Barbari goats in Etah district of Uttar Pradesh

The present study is an attempt to examine the system of selling goats and price spread in different agencies in two selected goat markets (Jaleshar and Ganjdundwara) in Etah district of Uttar Pradesh. One hundred and thirty seven goat farmers were selected in two goat markets. The goat farmers were categorized into small (1–5 goats), medium (6–10 goats) and large (above 10 goats) categories on the basis of flock-size. The study indicated that goat farmers periodically sold goats mostly for slaughter and few for rearing. However more sales were affected before the major festivals to meet the heavy demand for meat. Goat farmers transported most of their goats for sale in market where goats were sold through Commission agents. The major buyers in the market were big traders and city wholesale meat dealers. The marketing cost per goat was highest in small category and found to be Rs. 53.29 followed by medium category (Rs. 48.76) and the lowest marketing cost per goat was in large category (Rs. 46.26). In fixing the price, three types of units of sale were commonly followed. They were per head, per pair and per group. The most popular units of sale were ‘per head’ and ‘per pair’ in the area. The average prices ‘per head’ ‘per pair’ and ‘per group’ were fixed through bargain and open sale system. Sometimes the prices were also decided through under cover system. The price spread was much higher in cases where more middlemen and distance were involved. Primary producers were getting 72.9% share for their produce whereas petty traders, high traders and wholesale meat dealers received 10.2, 7.5 and 9.4% share respectively.