Analysis of Production and Marketing Problems Faced By Tree Growers of Northern India

In north Indian states viz. Punjab, Haryana, U.P. and Himachal Pradesh, those producing areas were selected which were the main feeding areas for the selected markets. The producing areas were selected after consultation with various market functionaries and officials of Forest Department in the respective states. The selected producing area of Saharanpur, Yamuna Nagar, Amritsar and Hoshiarpur represents western Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Punjab respectively while Una area represents Himachal Pradesh. Around 100 tree growers were selected for the study. Difficulty in getting harvesting permit, late information, small size of auction platform and high transportation charges were other important problems faced by the tree growers. The results of the study suggest the need to assure tree growers of the remunerative returns, if not by support prices then may be by further promoting wood-based industries and improving the industrial infrastructure for these industries. Establishment of such industries in the vicinity of producing areas will send a right message to the tree growers with regard to sustainability of the demand for their product. Forest corporations or tree growers ’cooperatives need to be promoted and the same should show their presence to increase competition in the market to improve the efficiency of the timber markets