The constraints of production and marketing of farm produce in different farming system

Abstract

Indian agriculture, contributing 18.8% to the Gross Value Added (GVA) as of 2022, is a fundamental pillar of the country's economy, employing nearly 54% of the workforce. Despite its importance, farmers in India face significant production and marketing challenges. This study examines these constraints across four farming systems—Crop + Sheep (C+Sh), Crop + Dairy (C+D), Crop + Dairy + Sericulture (C+D+S), and Crop + Dairy + Horticulture (C+D+H)—by surveying 30 farmers in Kolar district. The data, analyzed using Garrett's ranking technique, highlights that inadequate water availability (mean score: 75.13) is the most critical production constraint, followed by irregular rainfall distribution (mean score: 74.03) and non-availability of inputs at crucial times (mean score: 68.26). In marketing, low prices for produce (mean score: 69.90) and high price fluctuations (mean score: 62.23) are the most pressing challenges. The findings underscore the need for targeted interventions to address these issues, which are vital for enhancing the sustainability and profitability of India's diverse farming systems.