Marketing Pattern and Price Spread of Berseem (Trifolium alexandrinum) Seed in Punjab

The study was conducted in Punjab state during the agricultural year 2018-19. It was found that about 39 per cent of total seed produced was sold at the village level followed by self-retainment (35.35%), sale in nearby market (22.41%) and distinct market (3.45%). The market channel-I (Seed producer - seed user, was the most efficient with marketing efficiency (ME) of 84.17 followed by channel-V i.e. Seed producer- Milkfed- seed user (13.28), channel-II i.e. Seed producer- seed dealer- seed user (7.75) and channel-III i.e. Seed producer- wholesaler- seed dealer- seed user (5.32). The seed producers were getting a substantial margin through contract farming with Milkfed (channel-V).. Concept of village-based fodder seed bank may be introduced through establishment of fodder seed villages/farmers, fodder seed producer organizations/groups with facilities for seed processing and storage. On marketing front, fluctuation of price emerged as the most important hindrance to the seed producers followed lack of market information, variability in production, etc., Generating awareness about new varieties, incentives and assured market can play an important role in creating demand and consequently seed production of berseem.