Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

MARKETING AND TRADING SYSTEM OF CABBAGE CROP IN DISTRICT BUDGAM OF JAMMU AND KASHMIR STATE

Irfath Rashid, Quadri Javeed Ahmad Peer, S.A. Saraf, S.S. Kuberivi and Farah Farooq

Abstract

While ongoing study on research programmes of vegetables are addressing many emerging challenges, there is wide scope for innovative improvements right from the producers level so as to enhance the interest level of farmers through remunerative prices. For that, price spread and producers share in consumer’s rupee may have a sharper focus of farmers towards the betterment of crop growing. Therefore, the research study entitled “A Study on Adoption of recommended package of practices by Cabbage Growers in District Budgam” was taken up for the study purpose with an objective to study the marketing and trading system of cabbage crop in District Budgam of Jammu and Kashmir state. Ex- post- facto research design was adopted for the study. The study was carried out in purposively selected Zone Chadoora of district Budgam of Jammu and Kashmir State, as having maximum area under cabbage crop. A sample of 120 cabbage growers was selected by proportionate allocation method from randomly selected six villages. The data were collected with the help of a well structured questionnaire and interview schedule. Data derived from the interviewees of the sampled farmers, wholesalers, retailers and consumers was taken and tabulated on an average basis. Three marketing channels were identified namely producer-commission agent-wholesaler-retailer-consumer, producer-wholesaler-retailer-consumer, and producer-retailer-consumer. The data revealed the producer’s share in consumer rupee, price spread and marketing efficiency. The marketing cost and marketing margin of respondents in channel I was higher than the channel II followed by channel III. Out of these, the third channel was considered to be the most efficient.