A JOURNAL OF COMPOSITION THEORY ISSN : 0731-6755

Production and Marketing of Agricultural Products in tribal areas of Kalrayan Hills in A. Raja Research Scholar, P.G.& Research Department of Commerce, Periyar E.V.R. College (A), Affiliated to Bharathidasan University , Tiruchirappalli, Tamilnadu & Dr. M. K. Rajkumar Principal, Government Arts College, Affiliated to Bharathidasan University, Musiri. Abstract: Agricultural growth has a direct impact on poverty eradication. Its development also helps in containing inflation, raising of agricultural wages and increasing employment generation. Still, agriculture remains the largest employers with about 60 percent of the population depending on agriculture for its livelihood. This study deals with descriptive statistics of crop production during the last cropping season, agricultural production problems, marketing of agricultural products in Tribal Areas of Kalrayan Hills in Salem District in the selected 180 farmers from Kalvarayan Hills in Salem District of Tamilnadu. The results showed that there is an positive association between the demographic characteristics of a farmer and the productivity problems and land holdings etc., faced by them. Keyword: Crop production, cropping season.

1. Introduction

India is an agricultural country, which is endowed with abundant natural resources. The development of agriculture to its fullest potential is the king-pin of the Indian economy. Agricultural growth has a direct impact on poverty eradication. Its development also helps in containing inflation, raising of agricultural wages and increasing employment generation. Still, agriculture remains the largest employers with about 60 percent of the population depending on agriculture for its livelihood. Agriculture provides an immense opportunity for trading activities which extend from wholesaler to retailers. Agriculture provides of raw materials to prominent industries like cotton, jute, textiles, sugar and small scale and cottage industries. Agriculture products like tea, sugar, oilseeds, tobacco, spices constitute the main Items of exports of

The following definitions are given to highlight the meaning of agriculture: “It is the science that treats of cultivation of soil, with a view of disseminating knowledge in the production of grasses, vegetables and cereal crops”1 “Agriculture is the cultivation of soil, but by popular usage now includes the conversion of crops, or of natural vegetation, into animal products like meat, milk, butter, eggs etc.”2 “Agriculture is the systematic raising of useful plants by human management.”3

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1.1 Research design The research design has been drawn by briefing the objectives of the study, methodology of the study, sampling techniques, and tools used for data collection. Statistical tools used limitations of the study and chapter scheme. 1.3 Methodology The present study is carried out only on the selected areas of Kalrayan hills. The present study is based on the data pertaining study is based on the data pertaining from 2011-12 to 2017- 18. The study area is restricted to size Village of Pethanayakkan Palayam block namely. 1. Chinna Kalrayan North, 2. Chinna Kalrayan South, 3. Periya Kalrayan Melnadu 4. Periya Kalrayan Keelnadu

These four Revenue villages were selected on the basic of area of cultivation. In order to analysis the direct marketing system i.e., sales through Uzhavar Sandhai the sample of 180 Tribal farmers were selected on random basic. 1.4 Sampling Techniques In Pethanayakkan Palayam block, the selection of sample village is based on area of cultivation. The samples were restricted to four revenue villages. 180 Tribal farmers were selected on simple random basic to evaluate the direct marketing through Uzhavar Sandhai.

1.5 Source of data To draw useful inference about agricultural production and market the required data were collected through both primary and secondary sources. The primary data were collected from the tribal farmers through a structure interview schedule.

The other related secondary data and information regarding the meaning, concept were collected from the books, periodical and journals. The data regarding area production, major crops were collected from the official records maintained by the Department of Statistics, .

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1.6 Limitation of the study The following are the limitation of the study.  Due to time and cost constrain the study area is restricted to only Kalrayan hills (Pethanayakakkan Palayam block) of .  In the sample area many crops are cultivated, but for this study those crops which were cultivated in all the sample villages is taken for the analysis.

1.7 Objectives of the study

1. To study the crop production during the last cropping season in Tribal Areas of Kalrayan Hills in Salem District. 2. To explore the marketing place, place of sale and mode of sale of agricultural products during the last cropping season in Tribal Areas of Kalrayan Hills in Salem District. 3. To test the association between the problems in agricultural production associated with the four tribal areas of Kalrayan Hills.

1.8 Hypothesis:

 The problems in agricultural production are associated with the four tribal areas, land holdings and type of land farmers in Kalrayan hills.

2. Review of Literature

Acharya S. S. and Agarwal N.L.1 (1987), studied "Agricultural Marketing in India" This book contains brief analysis of marketing function, institutions, efficiency, cost and margins, government efforts in the improvement of agricultural marketing and market research. Although the main focus of the study is on the performance of India's agricultural marketing system, the methodology and policy implications are equally relevant to many other developing countries. Singh GMS. N. Singh D. S. and Ram Iqbal Singh2 (1987), The various segments of agricultural marketing in India. The agricultural marketing involves market structure, its nature and scope, marketing management, marketing functions and services, problems of agricultural marketing in India and suggestions to improve them. Pricing policy of farm products, marketing of crops, livestock products and seeds etc. have been discussed at length. The marketing channels, marketing costs, marketing transaction and facilitating activities have been described. The various services (Transport, Storage, Processing, grading and standardization etc.) involved in the marketing of agricultural products and what has been and can be done to improve their efficiency, have also been highlighted. 3 Acharya S. S. (1988), has focused on integrated analysis of production, marketing and price scene of Pulses sector. Detailed features of market structure, practices, channels, price spread in pulses have been given price fluctuations, seasonality in prices, effect of price and non-

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price factors, terms of trade for pulses vis-a-vis other crops and relative changes in inter-crops and input-output price parities have been analysed. 4 Jain V. K. (1989), has analysed, that success of farming is directly related to the quantum of income generated out of input. Farming is influenced by a number of internal and external factors, like cropping pattern, size of farm- business, availability of working capital, efficiency of factors of production, farm layout, land tenure, marketing practices, climate conditions, price level and accessibility of market. The author has made a successful attempt, as a close observer, to analyses these factors and has forwarded some useful suggestions. Singh R. Sharma, T.R, and Sharma, K5 (1994), had studied the production and marketing of hill vegetables in Himachal Pradesh and found that the producers’ share of tomato and pea was 43.15 and 49.96 percent respectively in the consumers’ rupee. The study found that the marketing margins of wholesalers’ were less than the retailers’ margin, due to the fact that the retailers were noted to bear the major burden of losses and deterioration of quality of the produce. Thakur D.S,6 (1994), reported various production and marketing problems faced by vegetable growers of Himachal Pradesh while conducting a study on high stakes for banks in off-season vegetable production and marketing. The major problems faced by farmers were lack of pure quality seeds, including hybrid seeds of different vegetables, genuine micronutrients and fertilizer mixtures, pesticide, weedicides, irrigation facilities, packing materials, storage and transport facilities, vegetable processing units, reasonable and remunerative prices and sufficient crop loans at reasonable interest rates. Agarwal N. L and Saini T. C, 7 (1995), studied the marketing of vegetables in Jaipur market during 1992-93. The main channels observed were, Channel I: Producer-commission agent-retailer-consumer; II: Producer- commission agent-retailer-consumer. The total marketing cost in the sale of cauliflower and cabbage through channel I was Rs. 42.87 and Rs. 40.05, respectively, per quintal charges for transport, commission, value of quantity lost and market fee were the main cost items, as these together accounted for 36 percent of the total marketing cost in these crops. In channel III, the total marketing cost in sale of cauliflower and cabbage was Rs. 47.26 and Rs. 43.35, respectively per quintal. In this channel, transport, commission, value of quantity loss and market fee accounted for over 87 percent of the total marketing costs. Producer and retailers shared these cost. The producers’ share in consumers’ rupee was around 55 percent in channel I and 52 percent in channel II. The farmers got a higher share in the sale of crops when channel I was adopted, as the total margin of the intermediaries is higher in channel II for both the vegetable crops. Acharya S.S.8 (1999), conducted A Study on Fruit Production, studied that a large number of fruit is grown in India. Amongst these, citrus fruit share 37-50 percent and is considered to be of good quality as compared to those produced in other countries. Besides orange, other varieties of citrus fruit like lemon, pineapple, red blood, Malta and Mosambi also have great export potential not only in the middle east markets, the main export market as Indian fruit, but also in Iran and Afghanistan. Citrus shares about 35 percent of total area under fruit cultivation. Sweet orange contributes 52 percent of the total area under citrus cultivation. In spite of having good quality citrus fruit, India has been criticized for supplying poor quality produce in most export markets. Besides absence of proper systems of packaging, grading and transportation, existing inadequate and expensive facilities of freight also hamper effective marketing of citrus fruit.

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9 Varadarajan R and Bose A. (2005), have focused on the "Marketing channels, Marketing cost, price spread and marketing efficiency of Betal-Leaf." Betel-leaf is a perennial creeper commercially cultivated in India’s cash crop. The present study pertains to the Madurai District of Tamil Nadu. Stratified multistage random sampling is adopted for the study with Madurai district as the universe, the taluka and block as the stratum, the village as the primary unit of sampling and betel-leaf farmer as the ultimate unit. The present study makes an attempt to study the existing marketing channels to evaluate the marketing cost, marketing margin, price spread and marketing efficiency of different channels. 10 Srinivas T and Ramanathan S. (2006), has analyzed "Production and Marketing of sweet potato in India". Sweet potato is predominantly cultivated as rain fed crops in eastern India especially in Orissa, , Bihar, Jharkhand and Utter Pradesh. An attempt is made to estimate the cost of production in major growing states to study the marketing pattern for identifying the marketing channel and to understand the current utilization pattern of sweet potato in India. Sweet potato area is to be stepped up by supplying quality planting material, reducing the cost of production, removing price disparity, popularising as food processed products and diversifying its industrial uses. Sharma Meenakshi and Singh Ranveer, 11 (2008), The study has focused on "Post- Harvest Losses in Fruits and Vegetables in Himachal Pradesh." The study attempts to estimate the extent of post-harvest losses at various levels of marketing for selected fruits and vegetables in Himachal Pradesh. In selected fruits, losses range between 18.31 to 24.85 per cent of the total production. The losses are found to be more at wholesaler's / retailer's level in all the selected fruits except apple. Regarding vegetables losses range between 18.98 to 28.25 per cent of the total production. The losses are found to be more at production level in most of the vegetables. The reduction in post-harvest losses is important to increase the availability of fruits and vegetables in the economy. 12 Nalini Ranjan Kumar, Pandey N. K. and Rana R. K. (2008), "Production and Marketing of Potato in Banaskantha District of Gujarata." The study shows that the annual compound growth rates of area and production of Banashkantha (10.96 and 10.48) were higher than those of Gujarat State (4.32 and 4.20). Potato yield of Banaskantha district and the state of Gujarat were very good and higher than national average but have started to decline in recent past which is point of concern for everyone. Because lack of quantity seed, inadequate irrigation facility, uncertainty in potato price, costly potato inputs, shortage of labour and lack of latest know-how of potato cultivation were the major constraints faced by farmers in potato cultivation.

3. Results and Discussion

Results and discussion are central steps in the research process. The aim of the analysis is to organize, classify and summarize the collected data so that they can be better comprehended and interpreted to give answers to the questions that triggered the research. Interpretation is the search for the broader meaning of findings. Analysis is not fulfilled without interpretation; and interpretation cannot proceed without analysis; so, both are inter dependent.

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A detailed analysis of the collected data has been attempted as per the objectives stated earlier. In this study the following statistical techniques for the analysis of the data gathered for the present study viz., Descriptive analysis and inferential statistics etc. Table-3.1: Demographic characteristics of farmers in tribal areas of Kalrayan Hills in Salem District

Demographic Category Frequency Percentage characteristics

Male 121 67.2 Gender Female 59 32.8 Total 180 100.0 Below 25 years 29 16.1 26-35 years 48 26.7 36-45 years 45 25.0 Age 46-55 years 38 21.1 Above 55 years 20 11.1 Total 180 100.0 Illiterate 93 51.7 Primary school 63 35.0 Education High school 20 11.1

Graduate 4 2.2 Total 180 100.0 Married 170 94.4 Marital Status Single 10 5.6 Total 180 100.0

Source: Primary data

The table-3.1 summarizes the demographic characteristics such as gender, age, education, and marital status farmers in the study area. Majority of the farmers involved in this study were male 121(67.2%) and 59 (32.8%) were female. Regarding the distribution of farmer’s age, majority (26.7%) of them under the age group of 26 to 35 years, 16.1% of them were below 25 years, 25% of them were between 36 and 45 years, 21.1% of them were between 46 and 55 years and only 11.1% of them belongs to above 55 years age group.. The educational status of the farmers, 93(51.7%) were illiterates, 63(35.0%) of them were completed primary education, 20 (11.1%) of them were complete high school level of education and only 4(2.2%) were graduates.

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Regarding the marital status of farmers, 170 (94.4%) were married and only 10 (5.6%) of them were single status.

Table-3.2: Profile characteristics of farmers in tribal areas of Kalrayan Hills in Salem District

Profile Category Frequency Percentage characteristics

Joint 62 34.4 Type of family Separate 118 65.6 Total 180 100.0

5- 10 Years 4 2.2

10-15 Years 25 13.9 Experience in agriculture 15-20 years 45 25.0 Above 20 years 106 58.9 Total 180 100.0 22 12.2 Below 50,000 50,001- 1,00,000 48 26.7

1,00,001-1,50,000 19 10.6 Annual Income (in Rs.) 1,50,000 – 2,00,000 45 25.0 2,00,001- 2,50,000 17 9.4 Above 2,50,001 29 16.1 Total 180 100.0 Irrigated Land 37 20.6 Rain fed land 33 18.3 Type of land Both 110 61.1

Total 180 100.0 1-2 hectare 61 33.9 2-5 hectare 81 45.0 Land holding 5 and Above 38 21.1 Total 180 100.0 Source: Primary data

The table-3.2 summarizes the profile characteristics such as type of family, experience in agriculture, annual income and type of land holdings of farmers in the study area. Majority of the farmers involved in this study were living with joint family (34.4%) and 118 (65.6%) of the

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living with separated family type. Regarding the experience in agriculture about 58.9% of the farmers were above 20 years in the field of agriculture and 25% of them have 15 to 20 years of experience in agriculture. 26.7% of the farmers annual income were between Rs.50001 to 100000 and 25% of the farmers annual income was between Rs.150000 and Rs.200000. Regarding the type of land possession, 61.1% of the farmers have both irrigated and rain fed lands. 45% of the farmers have two to five hectare of land, 33.9% of the farmers have one to two hectares and 21.1% of them have above five hectares of land. Table - 3.3 Descriptive statistics of crop production during the last cropping season in Tribal Areas of

Kalrayan Hills in Salem District

Std. Minimum Maximum Mean Deviation Total Area (in hectare) 10.0 50.0 29.889 12.05 Food Crops Total Production (in tons) 1.0 3.5 2.134 0.77 Total Income (in Rs.) 25000 92500 51241.67 17591.45 Total Area (in hectare) 1 3 2.35 0.67 Fruits & Total Production(in tons) 0 30 17.31 6.54 Vegetables Total Income(in Rs.) 6000 300000 141572.22 70772.52 Total Area (in hectare) 1.0 2.0 1.281 0.33 Cash crops Total Production(in tons) 15.0 40.0 23.08 6.31 Total Income(in Rs.) 18000 75000 37177.78 14792.29 Source :Primary data Table 3.3 shows the descriptive statistics of food crop, fruits and vegetables and cash crop production during the last cropping season in Tribal Areas of Kalrayan Hills in Salem District. It reveals that, the food crops cultivated in a minimum of 10 hectares, maximum of 50 hectares with a mean of 29.889 and standard deviation of 12.05, the minimum production was one tonne and a maximum of 3.5 tonnes with a mean of 2.134 and standard deviation of 0.77. The average annual income from food crop was found to be Rs51241.67 and standard deviation 17591.45. Regarding fruits and vegetables, the minimum cultivated area of one hectare and a maximum of three hectares, with average of 2.35 and standard deviation 0.67, maximum production of 30 tonnes with average 17.31 and standard deviation 6.54. The average annual income from fruits and vegetables is Rs.141572.22 and standard deviation of 70772.52. The minimum cultivated area of cash crops from the four selected study area was found to be one

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hectare and maximum of two hectares with an average 1.281 and standard deviation 0.33, the minimum production of cash crop is 15 tonnes and a maximum of 40 tonnes with average of 23.08 and standard deviation 6.31. The average annual income from cash crops was Rs. 37177.78 and standard deviation 14792.29. Table -3.4 Chi-square test between agricultural production problems across four Tribal Areas of Kalrayan Hills in Salem District Hypothesis 1: The problems in agricultural production associated with the four tribal areas of Kalrayan hills.

Pearson Chi-square S.No. Productivity Problems Fruits & Cash Food Crops Vegetables Crops 1 Labour Shortage 7.321** 5.813** 7.536** 2 Water shortage 3.563** 18.315** 6.254** 3 Diseases and Insects attack 7.137** 4.198** 5.800** 4 Drought affect 6.172** 8.933** 6.317** 5 Flood affect 5.263** 10.588* 7.350** 6 Soil condition 3.792** 25.596** 6.118** 7 Fertilizer shortage 10.132* 28.421** 23.373** 8 Wrong management of fertilizer 12.273** 43.373** 12.597** and pesticides (** p<0.01; * p<0.05.)

Table-3.4 reveals the Chi-square test between four study area and the problems of production of agricultural products at three levels (low, moderate and high) such as labour shortage, water shortage, diseases and insects attack, drought affect, flood affect, soil condition, fertilizer shortage and wrong management of fertilizer and pesticides. As seen from the table- 3.4, the p-value is less than 0.01, so the null hypothesis is rejected at 1 percent level of significance. Hence it is concluded that there is an association between the four study area of farmers and the problems on productivity of food products, labour shortage (χ2 = 7.321, p<0.01), water shortage (χ2 = 3.563, p<0.01), diseases and insects attack (χ2 = 7.137, p<0.01), drought affect (χ2 = 6.172, p<0.01), flood affect (χ2 = 5.263, p<0.01), soil condition (χ2 = 3.792, p<0.01), fertilizer shortage (χ2 = 10.132, p<0.01) and wrong management of fertilizer and pesticides (χ2 = 12.273, p<0.01). Also, there is an association between the four study area of farmers and the problems on productivity of fruits and vegetables, labour shortage (χ2 = 5.813, p<0.01), water shortage (χ2 = 18.315, p<0.01), diseases and insects attack (χ2 = 4.198, p<0.01), drought affect

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(χ2 = 8.933, p<0.01), flood affect (χ2 = 10.588, p<0.01), soil condition (χ2 = 25.596, p<0.01), fertilizer shortage (χ2 = 28.421, p<0.01) and wrong management of fertilizer and pesticides (χ2 = 43.373, p<0.01). Further, there is an association between the four study area of farmers and the problems on productivity of cash crops, labour shortage (χ2 = 7.536, p<0.01), water shortage (χ2 = 6.254, p<0.01), diseases and insects attack (χ2 = 5.800, p<0.01), drought affect (χ2 = 6.317, p<0.01), flood affect (χ2 = 7.350, p<0.01), soil condition (χ2 = 6.118, p<0.01), fertilizer shortage (χ2 = 23.373, p<0.01) and wrong management of fertilizer and pesticides (χ2 = 12.597, p<0.01).

Table -3.5 Chi-square test between problems in agricultural production and land holding of farmers in Tribal Areas of Kalrayan Hills in Salem District

Hypothesis 2: The problems in agricultural production associated with the land holdings of of farmers in Kalrayan hills. . Pearson Chi-square S.No. Productivity Problems Fruits & Cash Food Crops Vegetables Crops 1 Labour Shortage 6.312** 3.313** 4.518** 2 Water shortage 2.711** 26.403** 27.220** 3 Diseases and Insects attack 3.990** 15.356** 24.598** 4 Drought affect 3.939** 31.796** 17.686** 5 Flood affect 8.975** 3.105* 37.671** 6 Soil condition 19.217** 21.102** 29.518** 7 Fertilizer shortage 2.862* 14.809** 17.935** 8 Wrong management of fertilizer 5.012* 9.606** 11.330* and pesticides (** p<0.01; * p<0.05.)

Table-3.5 reveals the Chi-square test between land holdings and the problems of production of agricultural products at three levels (low, moderate and high) such as labour shortage, water shortage, diseases and insects attack, drought affect, flood affect, soil condition, fertilizer shortage and wrong management of fertilizer and pesticides. As seen from the table-3.5, the p-value is less than 0.01, so the null hypothesis is rejected at 1 percent level of significance. Hence it is concluded that there is an association between the land holdings of farmers and the problems on productivity of food products, labour shortage (χ2 = 6.312, p<0.01), water shortage (χ2 = 2.711, p<0.01), diseases and insects attack (χ2 =3.990, p<0.01), drought

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affect (χ2 = 3.939, p<0.01), flood affect (χ2 = 8.975, p<0.01), soil condition (χ2 = 19.217, p<0.01), fertilizer shortage (χ2 = 2.862, p<0.05) and wrong management of fertilizer and pesticides (χ2 = 5.012, p<0.05). Also, there is an association between land holdings of farmers and the problems on productivity of fruits and vegetables, labour shortage (χ2 = 3.313, p<0.01), water shortage (χ2 = 26.403, p<0.01), diseases and insects attack (χ2 = 15.356, p<0.01), drought affect (χ2 = 31.796, p<0.01), flood affect (χ2 = 3.105, p<0.05), soil condition (χ2 = 21.102, p<0.01), fertilizer shortage (χ2 = 14.809, p<0.01) and wrong management of fertilizer and pesticides (χ2 = 9.606, p<0.01). Further, there is an association between the land holdings of farmers and the problems on productivity of cash crops, labour shortage (χ2 = 4.518, p<0.01), water shortage (χ2 = 27.220, p<0.01), diseases and insects attack (χ2 = 24.598, p<0.01), drought affect (χ2 = 17.686, p<0.01), flood affect (χ2 = 37.761, p<0.01), soil condition (χ2 = 29.518, p<0.01), fertilizer shortage (χ2 = 17.935, p<0.01) and wrong management of fertilizer and pesticides (χ2 = 11.330, p<0.05). Table -3.6 Chi-square test between problems in agricultural production and type of land of farmers in Tribal Areas of Kalrayan Hills in Salem District Hypothesis 3: The problems in agricultural production associated with the type of land of farmers in Kalrayan hills

Pearson Chi-square S.No. Productivity Problems Fruits & Cash Food Crops Vegetables Crops 1 Labour Shortage 15.811** 24.231** 7.786** 2 Water shortage 7.597** 4.183** 7.066** 3 Diseases and Insects attack 5.230* 11.596** 16.364** 4 Drought affect 36.818** 2.149** 2.045** 5 Flood affect 1.854* 3.141* 1.369** 6 Soil condition 2.570** 2.456** 3.722** 7 Fertilizer shortage 2.055* 3.569** 1.435** 8 Wrong management of fertilizer 4.193* 6.218* 5.364* and pesticides (** p<0.01; * p<0.05.) Table-3.6 reveals the Chi-square test between type of land and the problems of production of agricultural products at three levels (low, moderate and high) such as labour shortage, water shortage, diseases and insects attack, drought affect, flood affect, soil condition, fertilizer shortage and wrong management of fertilizer and pesticides. As seen from the table-3.6, the p-value is less than 0.01, so the null hypothesis is rejected at 1 percent level of

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significance. Hence it is concluded that there is an association between the type of land of farmers and the problems on productivity of food products, labour shortage (χ2 = 15.811, p<0.01), water shortage (χ2 = 7.597, p<0.01), diseases and insects attack (χ2 =5.230, p<0.05), drought affect (χ2 = 36.818, p<0.01), flood affect (χ2 = 1.854, p<0.05), soil condition (χ2 = 2.570, p<0.01), fertilizer shortage (χ2 = 2.055, p<0.05) and wrong management of fertilizer and pesticides (χ2 = 4.193, p<0.05). Also, there is an association between type of land of farmers and the problems on productivity of fruits and vegetables, labour shortage (χ2 = 24.231, p<0.01), water shortage (χ2 = 4.183, p<0.01), diseases and insects attack (χ2 = 11.596, p<0.01), drought affect (χ2 = 2.149, p<0.01), flood affect (χ2 = 3.141, p<0.05), soil condition (χ2 = 2.456, p<0.01), fertilizer shortage (χ2 = 3.569, p<0.01) and wrong management of fertilizer and pesticides (χ2 = 6.218, p<0.05). Further, there is an association between the type of land of farmers and the problems on productivity of cash crops, labour shortage (χ2 = 7.786, p<0.01), water shortage (χ2 = 7.066, p<0.01), diseases and insects attack (χ2 = 16.364, p<0.01), drought affect (χ2 = 2.045, p<0.01), flood affect (χ2 = 1.369, p<0.01), soil condition (χ2 = 3.722, p<0.01), fertilizer shortage (χ2 = 1.435, p<0.01) and wrong management of fertilizer and pesticides (χ2 = 5.364, p<0.05). Table - 3.7 Descriptive statistics of marketing place of agricultural products during the last cropping

season in Tribal Areas of Kalrayan Hills in Salem District

Market place Daily Uzhavar Commission Regulated Crop type Vegetable Others Sandhai Agent Market market Food crop Paddy - - 106(59%) 5(3%) 69(38%) Ragi - 76(42%) - 104(58%) Samai - - 31(17%) - 149(83%) Fruits and Vegetables Mango 5(3%) 79(44%) - 96(53%) Tomato 108(60%) 35(19%) 15(8%) - 22(12%) Brinjal 23(13%) 5(3%) - - 152(84%) Cash Crop Tapioca - - 156(87%) 4(2%) 20(11%) Sugarcane 23(13%) - - 64(36%) 93(51%) Arecanut 71(39%) 4(2%) 105(59%) Source: Primary data

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Table 3.7 reveals the place of marketing agricultural products in the selected in Tribal Areas of Kalrayan Hills in Salem District. Regarding food crop sale, 59% of paddy, 42% of ragi and 17% of samai were sold through commission agents. Regarding fruits and vegetables, 44% of mango through commission agents, 60% of tomato through daily vegetable market and 84% of brinjal were through other places. Regarding cash crop, 87% of tapioca through commission agents, 36% of sugarcane through regulated market and 39% of arecanut were also through

commission agents. Table - 3.8 Descriptive statistics of mode of transport of marketing agricultural products during the last cropping season in Tribal Areas of Kalrayan Hills in Salem District

Mode of Transport Own Hired Crop type Bus Lorry Others vehicle vehicle Food crops Paddy 4 (2%) - 95 (53%) 12(7%) 69(38%) Ragi 9(5%) - 58(32%) 9(5%) 104(58%) Samai - - 31(17%) - 149(83%) Fruits and Vegetables Mango 23(13%) - - 61(34%) 96(53%) Tomato - 41(23%) 117(65%) - 22(12%) Brinjal - 9(5%) 19(11%) - 152(84%) Cash Crop Tapioca 23(13%) - - 137(76%) 20(11%) Sugarcane 5(3%) - - 82(46%) 93(51%) Arecanut - 5(3%) 4 (2%) 66(36%) 105(59%) Source: Primary data Table 3.8 reveals the mode of transporting agricultural products in the selected in Tribal Areas of Kalrayan Hills in Salem District. Regarding food crop sale, 53% of paddy, 32% of ragi and 17% of samai were transported through hired vehicles. Regarding fruits and vegetables, 34% of mango through lorry, 65% of tomato through hired vehicle and 11% of brinjal were through hired vehicles. Regarding cash crop, 76% of tapioca, 46% of sugarcane and 36% of arecanut were transported through lorry.

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Table - 3.9 Descriptive statistics of place of sale of agricultural products during the last cropping season in Tribal Areas of Kalrayan Hills in Salem District Place of sale Whole Crop type Retailers Exporters Brokers Others Seller Food crops Paddy - 98(54%) - - 82(46%) Ragi 9(5%) 53(29%) - - 118(66%) Samai - 27(15%) - - 153(85%) Fruits and Vegetables Mango 22(12%) 32(18%) 5(3%) 25(14%) 96(53%) Tomato 36(20%) 74(41%) - 7(4%) 63(35%) Brinjal - 18(10%) - - 162(90%) Cash Crop Tapioca 60(33%) 9(5%) - 91(51%) 20(11%) Sugarcane 83(46%) 4(2%) - - 93(52%) Arecanut 16(9%) 52(29%) - 7(4%) 105(58%) Source :Primary data Table 3.9 reveals the place of selling agricultural products in the selected in Tribal Areas of Kalrayan Hills in Salem District. Regarding food crop sale, 54% of paddy, 29% of ragi and 15% of samai were selling through retailers. Regarding fruits and vegetables, 18% of mango, 41% of tomato and 10% of brinjal were through retailers. Regarding cash crop, 51% of tapioca were through brokers, 46% of sugarcane were through wholesaler and 29% of arecanut were selling through retailers. 4. Conclusion In India the major problems in production and marketing of agricultural produces is the financial and marketing problems. But in general the sale in commission agent, sale in mandi, and other places. For the satisfactory marketing of the agricultural products, insufficient marketing infrastructure, labour shortage, lack of market information, transportation cost, place of sale and mode of sale etc., are required. It is suggested that providing sufficient loans, direct procurement of agricultural products from the farmers with market price, technical guidance should be provided by the government for the improvement in production and marketing the agricultural products in India.

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5. References 1. World University Encyclopedia, Volume 1, Books Inc., Washington, 1968, p.77. 2. C hambers Encyclopedia, Volume 1, International Learning Systems Corporation Limited, London, 1973, p.158. 3. The Encyclopedia Americana, Volume 1, Grolier Incorporated, USA, 1984, p.353. 4. Acharya S.S. and Agarwal N.L. (1987) “Agricultural Marketing in India”. Oxford and IBH Publishing Co., New Delhi. 5. Singh GMS. N., Singh D. S., Ram Iqbal Singh (1987) “Agricultural Marketing in India” (Analysis, Planning and Development) Chugh Publications, Allahabad – India. 6. Singh, R.; Sharma, T.R.; and Sharma, K. 1994. Production and Marketing of Hill Vegetables: A Study of Himachal Pradesh, Indian Journal of Agricultural Marketing Vol.37, Issue 2. PP-23- 28. 7. Thakur D.S., 1994. Highs takes for Banks in Off-season Vegetables Production and Marketing, Bihar Journal of Marketing, Vol. No. 2 Issue 1, PP. 89-95 8. Agarwal N L and Saini T C (1995), “Vegetable Marketing-A Case Study of Jaipur Market (Rajasthan)”, Indian Journal of Agricultural Marketing, Vol. 9, No. 1, PP. 36-43 9. Varadarajan R. and Bose A. (2005) “Marketing Channels, Marketing Cost, Price Spread and Marketing Efficiency of Betel-Leaf.” Indian Journal of Agriculture Marketing, Vol-19, No. 3, P.No. 28. 10. Srinivas T. and Ramanathan S. (2006) “Production and Marketing of Sweet Potato of India”, Indian Journal of Agriculture Marketing, Vol-20, No. 1, P.No. 68. 11. Sharma Meenakshi and Ranveer Singh (2008) “Post-Harvest Losses in Fruits and vegetables in Himachal Pradesh”, Indian Journal of Agriculture Marketing, Vol- 22, No.1, P.No.13 12. Nalini Ranjan Kumar, Pandey N. K. and Rana R. K. (2008) “Production and Marketing of Potato in Banaskanthao District of Gujarat” Indian Journal of Agriculture Marketing, Vol-22, No.1, P.No.99.

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