Price spread and marketing problems of potato in Basti district, U.P.

Basti is the major potato-producing district of Gorakhpur division of eastern Uttar Pradesh where the study was carried out. Three different marketing channels were being operated in the study area. The pattern of disposal revealed that marginal farmers were selling higher produce, i.e. 61.94 per cent of total sale, to consumer and retailers, while small and other farmers were found to be selling 84.57 and 93.84 per cent, respectively, to the wholesaler. Substantial amount of consumer rupee (i.e. 93.68 per cent) was finally realized by the producer selling directly to consumer. However, producer's, share in consumer rupee was recorded as 56.35 per cent when only one intermediary was involved in marketing process. When two intermediaries were involved, the producer's share was 44.10 per cent. Storage was found to be the important marketing function, which when done by the producer accrued 49.98 per cent of consumer rupee to producer, however, when this function was performed by wholesaler, it accured only 22.49 per cent to producer. The major marketing problems identified were lack of storage, transporation and marketing knowledge.