Constraints in production and marketing of major vegetables in Davangere district of Karnataka

Abstract

The present study was conducted to identify and analyze the major constraints faced by vegetable growers in the production and marketing of vegetables in the Davangere district of Karnataka. A multistage sampling technique was employed to select 120 vegetable growers cultivating Tomato, Chilli and Cabbage from four villages Suruhonne and Madanabhavi in Nyamthi taluk, and Bharamasamudra and Bidarakere in Jagaluru taluk. Primary data were collected through personal interviews using a pre-tested schedule. Garrett’s Ranking Technique was used to prioritize the constraints as perceived by the farmers. Thse results revealed that among production constraints, the high incidence of pests and diseases (mean score 74.10) was the most severe, followed by the high cost of quality seeds (72.05) and labour scarcity during peak operations (64.60). Inadequate irrigation, untimely availability of inputs and limited access to crop-specific extension services were also found to be important hindrances to productivity. On the marketing front, price volatility (75.16) was ranked as the most critical constraint, followed by exploitation by middlemen (72.05) and lack of storage and cold chain facilities (61.94). Other significant issues included poor access to distant markets, high transportation costs and absence of Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs). The study emphasizes the need for strengthening integrated pest and disease management, ensuring affordable input availability, improving rural storage and cold chain infrastructure, and promoting collective marketing through FPOs to enhance profitability and sustainability in vegetable farming.