SCENARIO OF VEGETABLE MARKETING IN RANGAMATI HILL TRACTS

Abstract

The present study was designed to analyze the scenario of vegetable marketing of Rangamati Hill Tracts. Marketing channel, supply chain and value addition of the vegetable marketing was analyzed in vegetable marketing. In some few selected areas of four unions of Rangamati Hill Tracts. The study was revealed the socio economic characteristics of the indigenous farmers. Primary data were collected from 50 indigenous farmers. A random sampling was followed. Tabular, graphical and statistical analyses were applied in this case. The main findings of the study reveal that there is a huge scope of vegetable production and it will be more profitable in Rangamati, if the marketing channel, supply chain, value addition development and technology adaptation will implement. Costs, returns, profitability, marketing channel, supply chain and value addition were depicted separately. Based on the total variance explained, it was confirmed that, there were nine components that influence the value chain development with 58% since their total loading is more than one. Since from 4 to 21 st component were having total Eigen values less than one (Annex 2.2). But because of lower loading factor only four components were selected from the particular variable which included as a factor was made on the basis of whether the correlation value (factor loading) was high or not. Focus group discussions are excluded with growers to draw points of interventions and to address constraints by promoting the strength of the chain. For this purpose, internal weakness and strengths of actors and external opportunities and threats are analyzed under categories of economic, social, technological, demographic and institutional themes. Irrigation problem, Electricity problems, High input cost, Lack of quality seeds, Lack of Training, Lack of Market infrastructure, High housing cost, Problems of transportation, Lack of storage facilities, Low price,, Unstable price, Lack of technological adaptation and lack of government supervision were the major problems faced by indigenous farmers. The study revealed price variation at market level on the supply chain which vary from Tk 03 to Tk 10 per kg due to value addition done by the indigenous farmers. They usually did three types of value addition. These are washing, bundling, grading of the vegetables. Prices were lower in case of roadside sale of vegetables which were a little away from the market and close to boat ghat. Customers get fresh products in this marketing system. Govt. initiative is necessary to reduce the problem of transportation and marketing infrastructure for the betterment of both indigenous farmers. Necessary actions were also expected by indigenous farmers from Govt. NGOs and other private institutions to reduce the barriers faced by them in case of marketing and production of vegetables in Rangamati Hill Tracts so that they could get benefit from maximum productivity. Finally, some recommendations were provided for policy formulation and execution.