Economics of kendu leaf production in Bolangir KL circle, Odisha
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Date
2022-06-27
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Department of Forest Policy and Law, OUAT, Bhubaneswar
Abstract
Odisha produces more than 5 lakh quintals of kendu leaves each year, out of which Bolangir kendu leaf circle contribute about 25% of the total produce. In 2021, the sale of these leaves earned a total of Rs. 259.10 crore in Bolangir KL circle. Study was conducted on „Economics of kendu leaf production in Bolangir KL circle, Odisha‟ during the year 2021. The study was done to find out how the marketing of the kendu leaves is carried out and what the trend of kendu leaf production is in the circle. The study was also focused on the problems faced by the kendu leaf workers in the circle and what solutions might work. Eight phadi were chosen by taking a random sample from two kendu leaf divisions. In these phadi, about 30% of workers were chosen at random and both primary and secondary data were collected. Statistics like compound growth rate and the Garrets ranking techniques were used to analyse the data. According to the study, the majority of workers (49.579%) are in their middle age, with female workers dominating with 57.74%. Study found that 48.86% of workers were illiterate and very few of them had passed class 12th. About 49.79% of respondents belonged to small family sizesand among the respondents, 36.82% were engaged in kendu leaves collection, agriculture and labour work. About 71.97% of respondents belong to the marginal landholding category. Among the respondents 65.69% of respondents earn between Rs. 45,001 and Rs. 75,000, with the majority earning between Rs. 1500 and Rs. 3000 from kendu leaves. Two channel of kendu leaf trade were seen: Channel I: Collectors-OFDC-Trader-Bidi manufacturer-retailer-consumers; and Channel II: cultivator-private trader-plate maker-consumers. The second one doesn't get as high a price and isn't as good at marketing. In the circle, grades I and II dominate. Both processed and phal leaves were traded in the circle. The growth rate was found to be -4.77 for the production of kendu leaves and 2.82 for revenue generation for the period of 2012-2021. Various problems and issues were analysed and it was found that low wages are the main issue, followed by minimum benefits. The study also suggests that value addition should be done to generate more income, which will benefit and attract workers and more revenue could be generated through value addition in kendu leaves.