Studies of marketing and price spread of Mahua (Madhuca latifolia) produce in Jharkhand

Abstract

Mahua has a special status among NTFPs as it is linked to the tribal livelihood, as it provides an important source of seasonal income. Present experiment was conducted on marketing and price spread of Mahua in three blocks of Ranchi district, Jharkhand. Data collection is done through market surveys, field surveys, and household surveys. Mahua oil fetches maximum price followed by Mahua liquor, then Mahua flower and the least price for seed in the studied area. The market price of Mahua flowers varied from Rs. 18.00 to 21.00 per kg. Market price of seeds was varied from Rs. 12.00 to 14.00 per kg, while the price of oil was varied from Rs. 60.00 to 70.00 per kg. Mahua produces were sold on every Saturday, in Ormanjhi market on every Tuesday and Friday, whereas in Mandar market, it is on every Sunday. Among the Mahua produces, only flowers and seeds were sold in the market whereas other produces are not sold in the market. The seeds are sold in the market only for 2-3 month in a year. The average quantities of marketing of Mahua flowers were varied from 25 to 31 quintal. Mahua flowers were sold by the local collectors in three ways, i.e. directly sale to weekly market or sale to village level wholesaler or to the middle man/ village trader. The income generation from Mahua flowers was more than Mahua seeds. The total income generated in the study area was Rs. 18252.00 from Mahua flowers and Rs. 3445.00 from Mahua seeds.