Parminder SinghAakashdeep2024-05-212024-05-212023-09https://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/5810209297Muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.) is a member of the Cucurbitaceae family and is an important crop grown in tropics. To assess the economic profitability and marketing efficiency of muskmelon, a study was conducted in Jhajjar and Karnal districts of Haryana. The cost of cultivation, including variable and fixed costs, was higher in Karnal, leading to a higher per-acre cost of cultivation compared to Jhajjar. Farmers in Jhajjar relayed on diesel engines and tube wells in Karnal for irrigation. The cost of production per quintal was highest on marginal farms, while the return on investment was highest for large farms in both districts. The overall benefit-cost ratio indicated the profitability of muskmelon cultivation in both districts. The analysis of muskmelon crop was performed for the year 2022-23 which showed that per-acre cost of cultivating muskmelon in Karnal was ₹68,845.38 and Jhajjar was ₹59,840.10. The net returns in Jhajjar and Karnal were ₹29,017.11 and ₹40,307.55. The highest cost of cultivation in Jhajjar was for medium farmers at ₹61,288.99 and lowest for large farmers at ₹58,951.78, while in Karnal the highest cost was for large farmers, with an amount of ₹71,018.92 owing to high input intensive activities. Major constraints in production of muskmelon were bad weather during flowering, diseases and pests attack, high cost of quality seed material, lack of govt. subsidy, etc. Major marketing constraints were high fluctuation in price, no price assurance, lack of proper marketing system and infrastructure. The marketing of muskmelon follows three primary channels. In Channel I, farmers sell their produce through commission agents, retailers, and directly to consumers. Channel II involves itinerant traders who buy muskmelons directly from farmers and sell them to consumers. Channel III is characterized by direct sales from farmers to consumers. Channel III has minimal price spread as it eliminates intermediaries, allowing consumers to directly pay farmers. Channel II provides farmers with a higher share of the consumer's rupee compared to Channel I. Efficiency evaluation indicates that Channel II is the most efficient, while Channel I is the least efficient due to the presence of more intermediaries. Channel III, with direct sales, is the shortest and most efficient, though not a prominent method of sale.EnglishThesis