Constraints in the production and marketing of mustard in Surguja district of Chhattisgarh

Abstract

The present study was conducted in the Surguja district of Chhattisgarh. 150 farmers were selected purposely on the basis of the total number of farmers in the district, with categories based on different farm categories from the 12 villages. The primary data was collected in the cropping year 2017-18 from sampled households through the personal interview method with the help of a well-prepared schedule and questionnaire. In which the cropping intensity was about (139.57 per cent). An average cost of cultivation per hectare of mustard was calculated at Rs. 18997.12. The average yield of mustard is 11.82 qtl. On an average, the input output ratio in mustard was 1:1.77 on the sample farms. The average cost of production per quintal of mustard was worked out to be Rs. 1607.19. The net income was calculated to be Rs. 37808.03 per hectare. There are three marketing channels for mustard crop marketing preferred by sample house hold as given below:-Channel I: Producer–Agent–Processor–Retailer–Consumer. Producers. Channel II: Village Traders/Agents, Wholesalers, Millers/Processors, Retailers, and Consumers. Channel III: Producer-Wholesaler-Processor-Retailer-Consumers. Only three channels were preferred by sample households for the selling of mustard. The majority of mustard seeds were sold through the agent by marginal farmers, approximately 66.67 percent, and the majority of small and medium farmers were sold through village traders, approximately 61.76 percent and 65.71 percent, respectively, while large farmers were sold through village traders, 53.33 percent. Overall, 44.52 percent of farm product is sold through agents. The mustard problem is faced by a lack of implementation of MSP in pulses and oilseed crops and a lack of a sufficient number of processing units (Rank I) (100.00 per cent). The study suggested that urgent attention must be paid towards enhancing the productivity and marketing of rapeseed-mustard by providing improved and high-yielding varieties, technology; irrigation; marketing; price support; policy; and effective extension.