STUDY OF MARKETING OF POMEGRANATES AND GRAPES IN ARGHANDAB DISTRICT, KANDAHAR PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN
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Date
2019
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ACHARYA N G RANGA AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY, GUNTUR
Abstract
The study was conducted to identify marketing channels, price spread,
export competitiveness, direction of trade, marketing costs, margin and
problems involved in marketing of pomegranates and grapes. The study was
conducted in Arghandab district, Kandahar province, Afghanistan. The
sample constituted 60 farmers and 30 traders (10 wholesalers, 10 retailers and
10 exporters).
About 20.00 per cent of the pomegranate respondents belonged to the
age group of 20-35 years, 43.34 per cent of the respondents belonged to the
group of 36-55 and remaining (36.66%) respondents were in the age groups of
more than 56 years. On the other hand, 33.34 per cent of the grapes
respondents belonged to the age group of 20-35 years, 30.00 per cent of the
respondents pertained to the group of 36-55 and remaining (36.66%)
respondents were in the age group of more than 56 years.
About 66.67 per cent of the pomegranate respondents were illiterates
followed by middle school (23.34%), graduates (6.66%), and high school
(3.33%) educated, while 66.67 per cent of grape respondents were illiterates
followed by 16.67 per cent graduates, middle school (10.00%) and 6.66 per
cent respondents were high school-educated.
The percentage of family members working on the pomegranate farms
was 36.67, while on grapevine farms it was 43.33 per cent. There was not
much difference in the participation of family workers on pomegranate and
grapevine farms.
About 46.67 per cent of the pomegranate respondents were marginal
farmers followed by small farmers (33.33%), medium (20.00%) and large
farmers (0.00%) whereas for the respondents of grapes it is observed that
36.67 per cent were marginal farmers followed by small farmers (33.33%),
medium (20.00%) and large farmers were identified as 10.00 per cent.
Neither of the selected farmers borrowed from either banks or money
lenders or fellow farmers. As such there is no system of farm credit in vogue
in the southern part of Afghanistan. It is understood that it is likely to be
implemented in northern part of Afghanistan shortly. All that they do is if
borrowing is imminent the farmers borrow from their friends at no interest.
Interest is not charged in the private transaction. In this study it was found that
20 per cent of pomegranate farmers and 20 per cent of grape farmers
borrowed from friends under the condition of ‘no interest’ in the transaction.
Five marketing channels were found operating each in pomegranates
and grapes. Highest percentage of sales took place through channel I in
pomegranates i.e. Producer- wholesaler- retailer- consumer. Same channel
was found in grapes as well regarding percentage of sales.
About 70 per cent of the pomegranate farmers expressed that spot
payment and proximity were both influencing factors, while 26.6 per cent felt
a lonely that it was spot payment of the buyer that prompted to prefer these
channels.
Both spot payment and proximity were the most attractive factors
according to 46.6 per cent of the producers to prefer these channels.
About 40.00 per cent of the wholesalers for both crops considered
colour, size, taste and durability as the important indicators to judge quality of
the fruit. 20.00 per cent of the wholesalers felt that colour, taste and size were
also important parameters. 20.00 of wholesalers for both crops considered
colour and size and 20.00 per cent of the wholesalers felt that all quality
indicators as the important indicators to judge the quality of the fruit.
The pomegranate sample farmers had incurred an amount of Rs. 705.7
in marketing one quintal of pomegranates towards crate charges,
transportation, labour expenses and commission agent’s fee in channel I.
Crate charges was the major item accounting for 64.10 per cent of total costs.
The price spread analysis of grapes showed that the producer’s share in
consumer’s rupee was higher in channel IV that when the fruits were sold
directly to consumers. The producer’s share in consumer’s rupee varied from
4.97 per cent to 51.61 per cent and minimum share was found in export trade.
The estimated Nominal Protection Co-efficient (NPC) for
pomegranates to Pakistan was found to be less than one during all the years,
studied indicating that it was competitive commodity. The estimated (NPC)
varied from 0.50 to 0.72 during the period of 2011-12 to 2017-18.
The estimated Nominal Protection Co-efficients (NPC) for
pomegranates exported to India were found to be less than one during all the
years studied indicating that it was a competitive commodity. The estimated
(NPC) varied from 0.50 to 0.63 during the period of 2011-12 to 2017-18.
Regarding pomegranates Pakistan had high retention probability to the
extent of 0.739 and relatively lower transfer probability 0.227 to India. Very
low transfer probability of 0.005 to UAE, 0.021 to Tajiskistan and 0.002 to
others was observed. The high retention of exports share was further
strengthened by the gains from UAE and India. It had gained from the entire
share (1.00) of Tajiskistan and other countries. India also had a fair degree of
retention of 0.533.
In respect of grapes, Pakistan had the highest retention probability of
0.988 and least transfer probability of 0.011 and 0.000088 to India and UAE
respectively. The highest retention of export share was further consolidated by
gains from India, UAE, Iran and Tajikistan. Particularly it gained from the
entire share of UAE, Iran and Tajikistan. India failed to retain its share and
with highest transfer probability of 0.995 to Pakistan and 0.003 to UAE, and
0.001 to other countries. It had gained from the entire share of other countries.
Description
D5801
Keywords
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