Production and marketing related problems of vegetable growers in Punjab

The present study was undertaken to study the production and marketing related problems of vegetable growers in Punjab. A sample of total 75 farmers was randomly selected from highest, intermediate and lowest area under vegetables cultivation in the state. It was found that the loss of produce at farm level as well as at the time of marketing was the major problem for the vegetable growers. However, high cost of inputs and services such as labour, seeds and transportation as well as lesser availability of inputs, credit, market information and extension services were some of the problems as reported by the respondents. The marginal and small farmers faced more problems as compared to the large farmers. Interestingly, the vegetable farmers of Ludhiana had faced lesser problems as compared to the farmers of Sangrur and Jalandhar districts. The study advocates effective implementation of regulatory measures, improved market infrastructure and dissemination of market information that could not only improve the production and marketing of vegetables but also the share of the producer in the consumers’ rupee.