Problems and Prospects of Vegetable Cultivation in Sangrur district of Punjab

Abstract

A sample of 120 vegetable growers was selected from the Malerkotla block of Sangrur district in Punjab to identify problems faced by them and prospects of vegetable cultivation. The data were collected personally interviewing vegetable growers with the help of a structured interview schedule. The majority of the respondents belonged to the age group of 37-48 years and possessed the operational land holding of 2.5-5.0 acres. Commission agents were found to be a source of credit for the majority of vegetable growers. The results revealed that the high cost of farm inputs like pesticides and seed were the major problems faced by the farmers. Poor quality seeds (25.83 percent) and spurious pesticides (20.85 percent) also posed hindrances in vegetable cultivation. The results showed that fluctuating market rates (98.13 percent), seasonal glut (82.50 percent) and non-remunerative prices of vegetable produce (75.00 percent) emerged as main marketing problems faced the respondents. The majority of the respondents (87.50 percent) faced the difficulty in the availability of skilled manpower whereas 40.25 percent of the respondents expressed difficulty in accessing information about improved seeds and pesticides. The majority of the farmers desired to continue vegetable cultivation at their farms in the future. The study suggested that market intelligence, storage, and processing facilities should be developed to reduce the market gut of vegetables for remunerative prices.