Marketing Behaviour of Vegetable Growers in East Sikkim

The diverse agro-ecological situations ranging from sub-tropical in the lower valleys to alpine at very high elevations present an extremely congenial environment for horticulture diversification. The marketing behavior of a farmer is influenced by numerous factors. The study was conducted purposively during 2016–2017 in Gangtok and Pakyong blocks of East district of Sikkim comprising of 10 vegetable growing villages to assess the marketing behaviour of vegetable growers. The data were collected with the help of pre-tested semistructured interview schedule, prepared on the basis of objectives of investigation and variables personally. The statistical tools of mean and percentage were used for analyzing the data. It was found that about 18 per cent respondents acquired market information from neighbours/relatives and 43 per cent respondents had medium level of marketing knowledge about vegetables. The lack of proper local market yard facilities was the major problem (95%) while 100 percent respondent suggested the establishment of wholesale market within the state.