Chapter - VI - Shodhganga : a reservoir of Indian theses ...shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/bitstream/10603/36063/12/12_chapter 6.pdf · CHAPTER – VI PROBLEMS FACED IN ... SECTION -

CHAPTER – VI

PROBLEMS FACED IN BANANA CULTIVATION AND

MARKETING IN KANYAKUMARI DISTRICT

6.1 General

Cultivation of banana and its production assumes critical importance now-

a-days due to the increase in population and rise in the level of income of the

people and consequent changes in the pattern of consumption. Banana plays a

unique role in developing countries like India both in economic and social sphere

for improving income and nutritional status particularly of rural masses.

Several problems are associated with the cultivation and marketing of

banana. These problems affect the production of banana as well as the

profitability of banana cultivation. Though their effects are not uniformly the

same, all these problems are of considerable concern. They are discussed in this

chapter in detail.

This chapter consists of two sections A and B. Section A covers the profile

of banana cultivators, factors limiting banana production, the problems faced by

the farmers in cultivation and marketing of banana and identification of reasons

for the alternative cultivation of paddy and banana. Section B covers banana

traders views, the profile of banana traders and the problems of banana traders in

marketing.

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SECTION - A

6.2 Profile of Respondents Banana Cultivators

The study of banana production in economic sense needs the analysis of the

social status of the cultivators who are engaged in banana cultivation. The

primary data was collected from the banana cultivators in Kalkulam taluk. Hence

in this section, a study of the social status of the cultivators who are engaged in

banana cultivation is made.

6.2.1 Distribution of Sample Respondents by Age

Age is the determining factor of working capacity. A family which

constitutes more number of children and old people will suffer since their earning

capacity is low. On the contrary, a family will be better off if it contains more

working people. The following table depicts the different age group of the

respondents.

TABLE: 6.1

DISTRIBUTION OF SAMPLE RESPONDENTS BY AGE

Age

(in years)

Category of Farmers

Total

Respondents Small

Farmers

Marginal

Farmers

25 - 45

19

(51.35)

196

(48.40)

215

(48.64)

45 – 65

18

(48.65)

209

(51.60)

227

(51.36)

Total 37

(100.00)

405

(100.00)

442

(100.00)

Source: Field Survey

Note: Figures in parentheses indicate the percentage to total

203

The above table reveals that the respondents who are below 45 years are

215 respondents and above 45 years are 227 respondents. Majority of the

respondents are in the age group between 45-65 years, which is working group.

There are 215 respondents belonging to the age group of 25-45 years,

distributed as 196 from marginal farmers and 19 from small farmers. There are

227 respondents belonging to the age group of 45-65 years, distributed as 209

from marginal farmers and 18 from small farmers group.

6.2.2 Distribution of Sample Respondents by Educational Status

Education is the basic necessity for social awareness. Education brings a

better society. Lack of education prevents social enlightment. The educational

status of the sample respondents are depicted in Table 6.2.

From the table 6.2, it is clear that 100 per cent of the respondents are

literates. Out of them 42.31 per cent of the respondents have completed the +2

level, 22.62 per cent of the respondents had completed the primary level education

and only 8.14 per cent of the respondents have completed the degree level

education. From this educational status, the researcher has found that majority of

the sample households have completed the higher secondary level education.

Majority of the small farmers and marginal farmers have completed the higher

secondary level education.

204

TABLE: 6.2

DISTRIBUTION OF SAMPLE RESPONDENTS BY

EDUCATIONAL STATUS

Education

Category of Farmers

Total

Respondents Small

Farmers

Marginal

Farmers

Primary 4

(10.81)

96

(23.70)

100

(22.62)

Secondary 10

(27.03)

109

(26.91)

119

(26.92)

Higher Secondary 13

(35.14)

174

(42.96)

187

(42.31)

Degree 10

(27.03)

26

(6.42)

36

(8.14)

Total 37

(100.00)

405

(100.00)

442

(100.00)



6.2.3 Distribution of Sample Respondents by Size of the Family

The size of the family plays an important role in the determination of living

conditions of the farmers. The consequence of the large size of the family

adversely affects the standard of living. It is also related to per capita income,

employment and market infrastructure. So an analysis is a must to know the size

of the family. Larger the size of the family, lesser will be the standard of living.

205

TABLE: 6.3

DISTRIBUTION OF SAMPLE RESPONDENTS BY SIZE OF

THE FAMILY

Size of the

Family

Category of Farmers

Total

Respondents Small

Farmers

Marginal

Farmers

Below 3

17

(42.43)

96

(23.70)

113

(25.57)

3-4

12

(45.95)

245

(60.49)

257

(58.14)

Above 4 8

(21.62)

64

(15.80)

72

(16.29)

Total 37

(100.00)

405

(100.00)

442

(100.00)



The table 6.3 shows that the size of the families of the cultivators is

classified in to three categories. They are below 3 members, between 3-4

members and 4 and above. Out of the 442 families, 58.14 per cent of the

respondents are coming under the second classification. This data reveals that

most of the families are having 3-4 children.

6.2.4 Distribution of Sample Respondents by Years of Experience

The experience of the small and marginal farmers in the banana cultivation

is presented in the following table.

206

TABLE: 6.4

DISTRIBUTION OF SAMPLE RESPONDENTS BY YEARS OF

EXPERIENCE

Years of

Experience

Category of Farmers

Total

Respondents Small

Farmers

Marginal

Farmers

Below 10 18

(48.65)

142

(35.06)

160

(36.20)

10-20 10

(27.03)

185

(45.68)

195

(44.12)

Above 20 9

(24.32)

78

(19.26)

87

(19.68)

Total 37

(100.00)

405

(100.00)

442

(100.00)



The table 6.4 indicates the experience of different categories of farmers.

The marginal farmers have a high experience of 10 to 20 years are 45.68 per cent

compared to the other categories. In the small farmer’s category, there is a meagre

difference between the experiences of marginal farmers’ classifications.

Of the total respondents of 442, only 87, that is 19.68 per cent of the

farmers have more than 20 years experience and the remaining 44.12 per cent of

the respondents have an experience of 10-20 years. There is a general perception

that this experience is more than enough for banana cultivation.

207

6.2.5 Distribution of Sample Respondents by Reason for the Cultivation

of Banana

Banana cultivation is more profitable compared to other food crops, and,

the gestation period is also very low. The reasons for the cultivation of banana are

presented in the following Table.

TABLE: 6.5

DISTRIBUTION OF SAMPLE RESPONDENTS BY REASON FOR

THE CULTIVATION OF BANANA

Reasons

Category of Farmers

Total

Respondents Small

Farmers

Marginal

Farmers

Suitability of Soil 6

(16.22)

64

(15.80)

70

(15.84)

Less Water Requirement 6

(16.22)

84

(20.74)

90

(20.36)

Profitability 10

(27.03)

158

(39.01)

168

(38.01)

Ready Market 8

(21.62)

56

(13.83)

64

(14.48)

Income from By-products 7

(18.92)

43

(10.62)

50

(11.31)

Total 37

(100.00)

405

(100.00)

442

(100.00)



208

The table 6.5 reveals the opinion given by the three categories of farmers

on reason for the cultivation of banana. Out of the total, 38.01 per cent of farmers

feel profitability to be the reason for banana cultivation. According to the opinion

of the 20.36 per cent respondents banana requires less water for cultivation, 15.84

per cent of the banana cultivators feel suitability of soil in this area is the reason

for banana cultivation and 14.48 per cent of the farmers opine that ready market is

the reason for cultivating banana. The remaining 11.31 per cent of the farmers feel

that income from by-products is the reason for the cultivation of banana. It is clear

from this statistics that the farmers like to get immediate output.

6.2.6 Distribution of Sample Respondents by Cropping Pattern

Agriculture is the backbone of Indian economy and prosperity of

agriculture can also largely be responsible for the prosperity of the entire Indian

economy. Cropping pattern can be made more rational through appropriate

changes in economic motives of higher production. The total production obtained

by the farmers in the study area are given in the Table 6.6.

209

TABLE: 6.6

DISTRIBUTION OF SAMPLE RESPONDENTS BY CROPPING

PATTERN

Verities of

Banana

Category of Farmers

Total

Respondents Small

Farmers

Marginal

Farmers

Red Banana 10

(27.03)*

124

(30.62)¤

134

(30.32)●

Nendran 34

(91.89)*

386

(95.31)¤

420

(95.02) ●

Kathali 24

(64.86)*

146

(36.05) ¤

170

(38.46) ●


Note: * Percentage to total no. of 37 samples enquired

¤ Percentage to total no. of 405 samples enquired

● Percentage to total no. of 442 samples enquired

The table 6.6 gives the details of the production pattern of the banana.

Production is more in nendran banana compared to other varieties like red banana

and kathai.

All the respondents are cultivating more than two varieties. Majority of the

respondents i.e. 95.02 per cent are cultivating nendran variety. But the production

efficiency is very low compared to red banana variety. 170 respondents are

cultivating kathali item which constitutes 38.46 per cent. The red banana variety is

cultivated by limited respondents i.e 30.32 per cent because the cultivating

expense is high but the productivity is low compared to other varieties. The

210

researcher concludes that in this area the nendran variety is more profitable

compared to other varieties followed by red banana variety.

6.2.7 Number of Family Members Engaged in Banana Cultivation

Family members are also engaged in banana cultivation in this study area.

The selected cultivators are grouped under four categories on the basis of the

number of family members engaged in banana cultivation. The following table

explains it.

TABLE: 6.7

NUMBER OF FAMILY MEMBERS ENGAGED IN BANANA

CULTIVATION

No. of

Members

Category of Farmers

Total

Respondents Small

Farmers

Marginal

Farmers

1 16

(43.24)

176

(43.46)

192

(43.44)

2 12

(32.43)

154

(38.02)

166

(37.56)

3 5

(13.51)

43

(10.62)

48

(10.86)

More than

3

4

(10.81)

32

(7.90)

36

(8.14)

Total 37

(100.00)

405

(100.00)

442

(100.00)



211

It is revealed from the table 6.7 that, out of 442 cultivators, in 192 family

only one family member are engage in banana cultivation. Out of the total 37.56

per cent of the cultivator’s family, two members engage in banana cultivation and

10.86 per cent of the cultivator’s family three members are engage. But 8.14 per

cent of the cultivator’s family more than three members are engaged in banana

cultivation. The researcher concluded that the disguised unemployment exists in

banana cultivation.

6.2.8 Distribution of Sample Respondents by Annual Income

Income particulars help us to know the economic condition of the banana

cultivators. The level of income depends upon the level of banana production.

There is a positive direct relationship between the banana production and the level

of income. If the banana productivity increases the level of income also increases.

The table 6.8 shows that, 21.95 per cent of the respondents are having the

income groups below `50,000. 52.71 per cent of the respondents have come under

the income group of `50,000 to 1,00,000 and 21.49 per cent of the respondents

have come under the income group of `1.00,000 to `1,50,000. Remaining 3.85 per

cent of the respondents have come under the income group of `1,50,000 and

above. The table clearly reveals that most of the respondents are earning medium

level of income.

212

TABLE: 6.8

DISTRIBUTION OF SAMPLE RESPONDENTS BY ANNUAL

INCOME

Annual Income

(in `)

Category of Farmers

Total

Respondents Small

Farmers

Marginal

Farmers

Below 50,000 14

(37.84)

83

(20.49)

97

(21.95)

50,000-1,00,000 15

(40.54)

218

(53.83)

233

(52.71)

1,00,000-1,50,000 6

(16.22)

89

(21.98)

95

(21.49)

Above 1,50,000 2

(5.41)

15

(3.70)

17

(3.85)

Total 37

(100.00)

405

(100.00)

442

(100.00)



Lorenz curve was applied to find out the income inequality among the

respondents. It becomes clear from the diagram that the curve is nearer to the line

of equal distribution. This implies that the inequality in income among the four

groups of banana cultivators was high. On the whole, the data suggested that the

income distribution among the four groups of cultivators show wider variations.

213

FIGURE: 6.1

LORENZ CURVE - ANNUAL INCOME OF THE BANANA

CULTIVATORS

214

As the graphical representation gives only a rough idea about the

inequality, Gini Concentration Ratio is computed.

Gini Concentration Ratio

In order to find out the correct estimation, Gini concentration ratio’s is

calculated.

The Gini coefficient is stated as

G = 1 – Σpi (Zi + Z i-1)

where

Pi = cumulative percentage of person

Zi = cumulative percentage of income

The Gini concentration is 0.51 and 0.42 for small farmers and marginal

farmers respectively. This reveal that the degree of inequality is low among the

marginal farmers compare to small farmers. On the whole, the data suggests that

the income distribution among the four groups (0.43) of banana cultivators does

show a wider variation.

6.2.9 Average Per capita Income

Table 6.9 shows the pattern of average annual per capita income of the

banana cultivators’ households. The cultivator’s accrued income from three

215

sources, namely, banana sale, by-products sale, sucker sale and others. The

following table explains the per capita income of the banana cultivators in

Kalkulam taluk.

TABLE: 6.9

AVERAGE ANNUAL PER CAPITA INCOME OF BANANA

CULTIVATORS’ HOUSEHOLDS BY SOURCE

Category of Farmers

Amount

(in `)

Percentage to

Total

Small Farmers 16,435.26 46.88

Marginal Farmers 18,621.84 53.12

Total 17,228.21 100.00


It is observed that the average annual per capita income of the banana

cultivators households is only `17,228.21. The high per capita income group is

marginal farmers, which constitutes 53.12 per cent of the total per capita income

of the cultivators households. As the quantum of banana production per year, the

income ratio in the cultivators households and the selling rates are very low, the

average annual per capita income is very low.

This section explains the profile of the banana cultivators. Majority of the

small farmers and marginal farmers have completed the higher secondary level

education. The family members are also engaged in banana cultivation. This study

discloses that in this study area the nendran variety is more profitable compared to

216

other varieties followed by red banana variety. There is a general perception that

this experience is more than enough for banana cultivation.

The income distribution among the four groups of banana cultivators does

not show wider variation. The per capita income of the banana cultivators is low

due to the low productivity of banana, low income ratio of the cultivator

households and the low selling rates are low.

6.3 Identification of factors limiting banana production

The cultivation and production are influenced by several factors such as

agro-biological factors, economic and social factors. These factors are discussed in

this section elaborately.

6.3.1 Agro-biological Factors

The respondents are asked to rank the factors that are identified in limiting

banana production. ‘Garrett ranking technique’ is used to find out the most

influencing factors.

From Table 6.10 it is clear that the agro-biological factors differ from product

to product. Climate plays a very significant role in limiting banana production for

the study area. Climate factor has scored the first rank for banana production.

Rainfall also plays a significant role in influencing banana production, for which this

variable scores the second rank.

217

TABLE: 6.10

IDENTIFICATION OF AGRO-BIOLOGICAL FACTORS

Problems

Mean

Score

Rank

Severity of Wind 59.84 III

Severity of Diseases 57.88 VI

Severity of Pests 58.13 V

Soil Condition 59.00 IV

Amount of Rainfall 60.17 II

Climate 60.35 I

Natural Calamities 56.60 VII


Severity of wind is another factor that makes considerable impact on banana

cultivation. It has secured the third rank. Soil condition, severity of pests and

severity of diseases are also important factors in the banana production and they

occupy fourth, fifth and sixth ranks respectively. Natural calamities also affect

banana cultivation and this scores seventh position.

6.3.2 Economic and Institutional Factors

The Table 6.11 gives the comparative scoring ranks of economic and

institutional factors limiting banana production in the study area. The economic and

institutional factors that limit the production of banana are; higher labour cost,

218

higher cropping cost, higher pesticide cost, non-availability of credit and scarcity of

labourers.

As this study is related to the banana production, the respondents are asked to

rank the factors affecting banana production. Five factors are given. ‘Henry’s Garrett

Ranking Principles’ has been applied to find out the factors influencing banana

production.

TABLE: 6.11

IDENTIFICATION OF ECONOMIC AND INSTITUTIONAL

FACTORS

Problems

Mean

Score

Rank

Higher Labour Cost 61.16 1

Higher Cropping Cost 56.78 3

Higher Pesticide Cost 52.36 5

Non-availability of Credit 53.35 4

Scarcity of Labourers 57.28 2


It is inferred from the Table 6.11 that the main factor on economic and

institutional factors which limit banana production is high labour cost which has

scored the first rank. The second factor which limits banana production is scarcity of

labourers. The third factor is ‘higher cropping cost’. ‘Non-availability of credit’ and

‘higher pesticide cost’ are the fourth and fifth in the order of rank.

219

6.4 Problems of Banana Cultivation

Banana Cultivators had to face some problems at the time of banana

cultivation. The problems were severity of diseases, severity of pests, scarcity of

labour, problems caused by natural calamities and the high cost of production. The

banana cultivators households are asked to rank the five problems according to

their preferences. The preferences of the banana cultivators are given in the

following table.

TABLE: 6.12

PROBLEMS OF BANANA CULTIVATION

Sources I II III IV V Total

Severity Diseases 179 77 103 51 60 442

Severity of Pests 60 103 85 111 111 442

Scarcity of Labour 56 97 111 103 103 442

Natural Calamities 81 73 77 111 128 442

High Cost of Production 94 120 94 94 68 442

Total 442 442 442 442 442 2210


Garrett Ranking Technique

Garrett ranking technique was used to rank the problems. The ranks were

assigned and points were given in the following order.

1 – Rank = 5 points

220




5 – Rank = 1 point

After assigning points to various ranks, the Garrett mean score was

calculated by using the following formula.

Present Position = Nj

Rij )5.0(100 −

where,

Rij – Rank given for the ith

reason by jth respondents

Nj – Number of factors ranked by jth

respondents

TABLE: 6.13

GARRETT MEAN SCORE - PROBLEMS FACED BY BANANA

CULTIVATION

Problems Garrett Ranking

Mean Score

Rank

Severity Diseases 49.21 III

Severity of Pests 48.35 IV

Scarcity of Labour 47.71 V

Natural Calamities 50.68 II

High Cost of Production 54.07 I


221

From the above table 6.13 it is clear that high cost of production was the

main problem faced by the banana cultivators. Then scarcity of labour was the

second most important problem. Scarcity of labour was the least important

problem faced by the banana cultivators.

6.5 Problems in Marketing of Banana in the Study Area

The researcher wants to find out whether the banana cultivators have

difficulties in marketing banana 98 per cent of the respondents have revealed that

they experience difficulties in selling banana. Only two percent of the respondents

say that they have no difficulty in marketing banana.

The important marketing problems faced by the banana cultivators are; high

commission charges, high transportation, cheating by middlemen, seasonal

demand, fluctuations in prices, lack of grading, lack of finance, high labour cost

and poor quality. The following table shows the various marketing problems of

the banana cultivators.

222

TABLE: 6.14

MARKETING PROBLEMS FACED BY BANANA CULTIVATORS

Problems

Total

Score

Mean

Score

Rank

High Commission Charges 1,619 3.66 6

High Transportation Cost 860 1.95 9

Cheating by Middlemen 3,264 7.38 2

Seasonal Demand 1,298 2.94 7

Fluctuations in Prices 3,337 7.55 1

Lack of Grading 2,101 4.75 5

Lack of Finance 3,192 7.22 3

High Labour Cost 2,941 6.65 4

Poor Quality 1,271 2.88 8


From the above table 6.14, it is clear that the problem of fluctuation in price

occupies the first rank (3,337 points) and cheating by middlemen takes the second

rank with 3,264 points and lack of finance occupies the third place with 3,192

points. High labour cost gets the fourth place by scoring 2,941 points and the lack

of grading problem gets the fifth place by scoring 2,101 points. The last place is

occupied by high transportation cost scoring 860 points. The researcher concludes

that fluctuations of price and cheating by middlemen are the important problems

faced by the banana cultivators in marketing of banana.

223

6.6 Reasons for Shifting Area from Paddy to Banana

Banana is an important and popular fruit both among the rich and the poor

in India. It is highly nutritious, easily digestible and rich in carbohydrates as well

as minerals. Banana is a commercial crop. It enters into every household as a

special item which is used extensively in all auspicious occasions such as

weddings, festivals and for worship. Banana crop occupies a premier position to

give lump sum income to the farmer among migrated cash and food crops. It has

greater potentiality in generating employment for agricultural labour at the farm

level.

Factor Analysis

The reasons for shifting area from paddy production to the production of

banana are discussed in this section, by applying factor analysis. Factor Analysis

is a good way of resolving the confusion and identifying important variables. The

technique of Factor Analysis is used to reduce the number of variables into smaller

and manageable number by combining related ones into factors. ‘Principal

Component Analysis’ method is used to extract factors in Eigen Value of one or

more. In order to assign variables ‘Rotated Factor Matrix’ is used.

In this study Factor Analysis is applied for identifying the reasons for

shifting area from paddy to banana and the results are given below.

224

In order to find out the appropriateness of this analysis Kaiser Meyar Olkin

(KMO) and Bartlett’s Test of Sephericity are used and the results are shown in

Table 6.15.

TABLE: 6.15

KMO AND BARTLET’S TEST

Description Value

KMO Measures of sampling adequacy .516

Bartlett’s test of Sphericity -

App. Chi-square value 1804.727

df 91

Sig. .000

The KMO value is very high (0.516). Similarly, the Bartlett’s test rejects the

null hypothesis i.e., the variables are not related as the approximate chi-square value

is 1804.727 at 91 degrees of freedom which is significant at 1 per cent level of

significance. Thus factor analysis may be considered as an appropriate technique.

The results of Principal Component Analysis to extract the number of

variables are given in Table 6.16.

225

TABLE: 6.16

PRINCIPAL COMPONENTS ANALSYIS

Compo-

nents

Extraction Sums of Squared

Loading

Rotated Sums of Squared

Loading

Total Percentage

of

Variable

Cumulative

Percentage

Total Percentage

of Variable

Cumulative

Percentage

1 3.105 22.852 22.582 2.415 17.250 17.250

2 2.039 15.450 38.302 2.034 14.529 31.779

3 1.689 12.803 51.105 1.689 12.066 43.845

4 1.444 10.942 62.047 1.632 11.655 55.500

5 1.159 8.780 70.827 1.174 8.388 63.888

From the Table 6.16 shown, it is clear that five factors can be extracted

together which account for 70.827 per cent of the total 14 variables. Hence 14

variables are summated to five factors by loosing nearly 30 per cent of data.

The table 6.17 presents the Rotated Component Matrix table by using

Varimax Method which is used to assign factors which have higher loadings.

226

TABLE: 6.17

FACTOR ANALYSIS - REASONS FOR SHIFTING AREA FROM

PADDY TO BANANA

Reasons F1 F2 F3 F4 F5

Suitable Climate for Banana .790

No Assured Water Supply for Paddy .677

Ready Market for Banana .637

Repeated Failure of Paddy .463

Difficulties in Paddy Cultivation .881

Scarcity of Labour .774

Easy Availability of Loan Facilities .713

Suitability of the Soil .677

Low Production in Paddy .579

High Net Income in Banana .908

Cost of Production is Low Compared to

Paddy

.546

Less Water Requirement .692

High Labour Charges .592

Inter Cropping Facility .472


Table 6.17 clearly shows that in the first column the variables namely,

‘suitable climate for Banana’, ‘no assured water supply for paddy’, ‘ready market

for banana’ and ‘repeated failure of paddy’ have higher loadings of 0.790, 0.677,

0.637 and 0.463 respectively and it can be suggested that factor one is the

227

combination of these four factors and have the variance of 17.250 per cent and it can

be named as ‘Failure of Paddy’.

From the second column it can be seen that the variables of ‘difficulties in

paddy cultivation’ and ‘scarcity of labour’ have higher loadings with a variance of

14.529 and it can be combined and called as ‘Labour Problem’.

The third column shows that the factors ‘easy availability of loan facilities’

0.713, ‘suitability of the soil’ 0.677 and ‘low production in paddy’0.579 have high

loadings and are summated and named as ‘Suitable Soil’.

The fourth factor namely ‘high net income in banana’, ‘cost of production

is low compared to paddy’ are combined together to be called as ‘Production

Cost’.

In the last column only three variables i.e. the ‘less water requirement’, ‘high

labour charges’ and ‘inter cropping facility’ which have higher loading are included

and named as ‘Inter Cropping’.

Thus 14 factors are reduced into five variables and are given different

names by using factor analysis. Thus ‘Failure of Paddy’, ‘Labour Problem’,

‘Suitable Soil’, ‘Production Cost’ and ‘Inter Cropping’ have been identified as the

reason for shifting area from paddy to banana.

228

SECTION: B

6.7 Banana Traders Views

This section deals with marketing of banana in Kanyakumari district. The

description of the respondents of banana trading, types of channel, transport

facilities, price fixation, marketing channel etc. are furnished. The gathered

information has been processed and analysed so as to examine the nature of

traders who are marketing banana in Kalkulam taluk.

6.7.1 Profile of Respondents (Banana Traders)

The profile of the traders is discussed in this section.

Table 6.18 exhibits the profile of the Traders. Among the age classification,

33 per cent of the respondents are of the age group of above 50 years and only a

meager five per cent representing five respondents are below 30 years of age. This

proves that younger generations are not engaged in agriculture. Higher percentage

of respondents above 41-50 years also indicates that the profession is mostly a

heritage.

Regarding to the education, 46 per cent of the respondents are graduates, 43

per cent have higher secondary education, and 11 per cent of the respondents have

no formal education.

229

TABLE: 6.18

PROFILE OF TRADERS OF THE TAULK

Traders

Variables Marthandam Thuckalay No. of

Respondents

Age (in years)

1. Below 30

2. 31 – 40

3. 41 – 50

4. ASbove 30

3

9

25

13

2

10

18

20

5

19

43

33

Educational Qualification

1. Illiterate

2. Up to HSC

3. Graduate

5

10

26

6

14

20

11

43

46

Experience

1. Below 10 years

2. 10 - 15 years

3. 15 - 20 years

4. Above 20 years

4

28

12

6

8

33

4

5

12

61

16

11

Monthly Income

1. Below `15,000

2. `15,000-30,000

3. Above `30,000

14

27

9

16

22

12

30

49

21


Out of the total respondents 61 per cent have 10-15 years of experience, 16

per cent have 15-20 years of experience and 11 per cent have above 20 years of

experience.

Out of the total respondents 49 per cent of the respondents earn monthly

income between `15,000-30,000. The return from the profession is inadequate to

230

meet even the basic necessities of life. Only 21 per cent of the respondents are

slightly comfortable with monthly income above `60,000.

6.7.2 Distribution of Respondents by Type of Banana

Agriculture is the backbone of Indian economy and prosperity of

agriculture is largely responsible for the prosperity of the entire Indian economy.

Cropping pattern should be made more rational through appropriate changes in

economic motives of higher production. The distribution of respondents by types

of banana sales in the study area is given in the Table 6.19.

TABLE: 6.19

DISTRIBUTION OF RESPONDENTS BY TYPE OF BANANA

Types of

Banana

No. of Respondents

Total No. of

Respondents

Percentage Marthandam

Thuckalay

Red Banana

Nendran Banana

Kathali Banana

22

48

24

18

50

38

40

98

62

40

98

62


Most of the respondents market more than two varieties of banana. 98

per cent sell nendran banana variety. 62 per cent of the respondents market kathali

bunches and 40 per cent of the respondents sell red banana variety in the market.

231

The researcher concludes from the study that, the nendran variety is more

profitable compared to other varieties.

6.7.3 Distribution of Respondents by Place of Market

When the produce is brought for sale to the market each individual’s

produce is allotted a lot number. Some sales are based on the verbal

understanding between buyers and sellers on the basis of the prevailing market

rate. This method is popular among who used to borrow from the traders or those

whose residence is far away from the market.

TABLE: 6.20

DISTRIBUTION OF RESPONDENTS BY PLACE OF MARKET

Place

No. of Respondents

Total No. of

Respondents


Thuckalay

Local 50 50 100 100.00

National 17 24 41 26.28

Export 7 8 15 9.62

Total 74 82 156


A cultivator, who has to borrow heavily for a growing crop, often

mortgages it in advance, so that the sale of produce, which is hardly more than a

mere formality, takes place almost in his field as soon as the crop is harvested. In

all other cases where crop is not formally mortgaged it has to be disposed of

232

almost immediately after harvest in order to pay off the debt. The following table

shows the mode of sales.

The table 6.20 shows the places of sales of the traders. Out of 100

respondents, the entire respondents sell their banana bunches through local market.

41 respondents have the practice of selling their banana bunches at national level

like Kerala, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh which constitute 26.68 per cent, only

15 respondents used to sell their banana bunches to other countries which

constitute 9.62 per cent. The researcher has inferred that the majority of the

respondents prefer to do business in the local market

6.7.4 Distribution of Respondents by Mode of Sales

The sellers sell their produce for cash, credit or both. This is given in the

Table 6.21.

TABLE: 6.21

DISTRIBUTION OF RESPONDENTS BY MODE OF SALES

Mode of

Sales

No. of Respondents

Total No. of

Respondents


Thuckalay

Credit 14 19 33 33

Cash 28 26 54 54

Both 8 5 13 13

Total 50 50 100 100


233

The table shows that 54 per cent of the traders sell the bunches for cash.

Among them, 28 respondents are from Marthandam and 26 respondents are from

Thuckalay. 33 per cent of the respondents used to sell the bunches on credit and

the remaining 13 per cent of the respondents sell the banana bunches by cash and

credit.

6.7.5 Mode of Transportation Used by Banana Traders

In a vast country like India, the existing means of transport are woefully

inadequate. Communications from the field to the village and from village to the

market are often extremely poor and defective. Bad roads, lanes and tracts

connecting village with the markets not only add to the loss of transportation but

also aggravate the strain of the traders. It results into the multiplication of small

dealers and intermediaries. They also restrict market by hindering cheap and rapid

movement of agricultural produce. There is not only mileage deficiency but there

is also a lack of feeder-roads connecting villages to market towns and the nearest

railway stations so that produce cannot be advantageously transported to the

market.

Due to this lack of transport facilities, much loss occurs. According to the

Directorate of Storage Inspection, the loss of marketable surplus of food crops

transport in is about 0.5 per cent of the quantities transported. The following table

shows the mode of transport.

234

TABLE: 6.22

MODE OF TRANSPORTATION USED BY BANANA TRADERS

Mode of

Transport

No. of Respondents

Total No. of

Respondents


Thuckalay

Lorry 10 13 23 23

Tempo 29 18 47 47

Auto Tempo 8 14 22 22

Bus 3 5 8 8

Total 50 50 100 100


The table 6.22 shows the mode of transport of the sellers. Out of the 100

respondents, 23 respondents are using lorry for transporting banana bunches, 47

per cent of the respondents have use tempo for transporting their products and 22

per cent of the respondents avail auto tempo for transporting their products. Only

eight per cent of the respondents use bus to transport their products to the market.

The researcher comes to the conclusion that there is no proper transport facility in

this study area.

6.7.6 Fixation of Price

Most of the sellers are fixing price arbitrarily. The following table 6.23

explains it.

235

TABLE: 6.23

FIXATION OF PRICE

Fixation of Price

No. of Respondents

Total No. of

Respondents


Thuckalay

Supply Base 12 12 24 24

Expenditure Base 13 10 23 23

Season Base 12 16 28 28

Quality of Banana

Base

13 12 25 25

Total 50 50 100 100


The above table shows that most of the sellers fix prices on the basis of

season. 25 per cent of the sellers fix prices on the basis of quality of banana and

24 per cent of the sellers fix prices on the supply basis. Only 23 per cent of the

respondents charge prices on the basis of expenditure. In a way the sellers are

satisfied with the price fixation.

6.7.7 Frequency of the Sales by the Banana Traders

The Table 6.24 shows the frequency of the banana sales by the banana

traders.

236

TABLE: 6.24

FREQUENCY OF THE SALES BY THE BANANA TRADERS

Frequency of Sales

No. of Respondents

Total No. of

Respondents

Percentage Marthandam Thuckalay

Weekly once 12 12 24 24

Weekly 2 days 21 27 23 23

Weekly 4 days 11 7 28 28

Daily 6 4 25 25

Total 50 50 100 100


Table 6.24 shows that the frequency of the banana sales by the banana

traders, 24 per cent of the respondents sell the banana once in a week, among

them, 12 sellers are from Marthandam and 12 respondents are from Thuckalay.

Out of the total, 48 per cent of the respondents sell the banana twice a week, 18

per cent of the respondents sell the banana once in four days a week and only 10

per cent of the respondents sell the banana daily. Hence, majority of the

respondents sell their bunches twice a week.

6.7.8 Problems of Banana Traders in Marketing in the Study Area

Traders have to face some problems in the sales of banana. From the data

collected, the researcher has identified certain problems that are faced by the traders.

The most remarkable ones are: perishability, transport problems, storage problems,

237

inadequate finance, fluctuating prices and too many middlemen. The traders are

asked to rank the six problems according to their preferences. The preferences of

the traders are given in the following table.

TABLE: 6.25

PROBLEMS FACED BY BANANA TRADERS

Sources I II III IV V VI Total

Perishability 14 22 14 14 15 21 100

Transport Problems 18 15 16 21 16 14 100

Storage Problems 17 19 15 14 18 17 100

Inadequate Finance 10 14 21 18 16 21 100

Fluctuating Prices 17 20 14 17 17 15 100

Too Many Middlemen 24 10 20 16 18 12 100

Total 100 100 100 100 100 100 600


Garrett Ranking Technique

Garrett ranking technique is used to rank the problems. The ranks and

points are given in the following order.





5 – Rank = 1 point

238

After assigning points to various ranks, the Garrett mean score is calculated

by using the following formula.

Present Position = Nj

Rij )5.0(100 −

where,

Rij – Rank given for the ith

reason by jth respondents

Nj – Number of factors ranked by jth

respondents

TABLE: 6.26

GARRETT MEAN SCORE - PROBLEMS FACED BY BANANA

TRADERS Problems Garrett Ranking

Mean Score

Rank

Perishability 60.47 VI

Transport Problems 60.64 V

Storage Problems 63.37 I

Inadequate Finance 61.48 III

Fluctuating Prices 61.11 IV

Too Many Middlemen 62.93 II

From the above table it is clear that storage problem is the main problem

faced by the traders. The issue of too many middlemen is the second most

important problem. Inadeqnate transport is the least important problem faced by

the traders.

239

6.7.9 Other Problems

1. The banana cultivators face different types of labour problems regarding

loading and unloading in their fields and markes. For instance when the labourers

go on strike in Marthandam and Thuckalay market, the cultivators have to

transport their banana bunches to Nagercoil and the markets in Kerala which

causes unwanted delay and greater expenditure.

2. The main problem of agricultural marketing is the price fluctuation. The

problem is solved by the government by making available cold storage facilities to

the formers.

3. Another important problem is high commission and poor information about

market rate.

This problem can be solved by the government by introducing Regulated

Market in different places and controlling higher commission.

6.8 An Overview

The problems discussed above are not permanent problems. Some problems

continue to remain as problems without any solution because there is no proper

understanding among the cultivators and the traders. The government should set

up a national level organization on a scientific basis, which will study, discuss and

analyse the problems of banana cultivators. Organizations like Regulated Market

should try to solve the problems of the cultivators as well as the traders.

Documents

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