IDENTIFICATION OF EFFECTIVE POTATO MARKETING CHANNEL IN MUNSHIGANJ DISTRICT OF BANGLADESH

Abstract

Potato plays a significant role in increasing food security and income of the farmers of Bangladesh. It is an important vegetable for its commercial and nutritional value in the world as well as in Bangladesh. The marketing channel of potato is not well organized in Bangladesh.This study was carried out to analyze the existing potato marketing channel considering value addition and net margin conducted by the intermediaries.In order to make an assessment of the marketing channel of potato, the study was conducted in Shirajdikhan upazila of Munshiganj district. Primary data were collected during the period from February to April, 2020 through face to face interview with potato growers and potato traders using structured survey schedule.Thirty potato producers, 80 value chain actors (Faria, Bepari, wholesaler and retailer) were selected for the study. The study found four actors between producer and consumer. They wereFaria, Bepari, wholesaler and retailer. Besides, marketing of potato produced in Shirajdikhan upazila of Munshiganjwas moved from the hands of producers to the hands of consumers through four separate supplychains.Total cost per 100 kg of potato cultivation with marketing cost was Tk. 988.33. Besides, gross margin and net return were Tk. 553.38 and Tk. 149.17 respectively for 100kg of potato.In the channel, the highest value (3.20 Tk/kg) was added by wholesaler and the lowest value (1.29 Tk/kg) was added by Faria of the total value addition. Besides, wholesaler made lowest marketing margin (0.50 Tk/kg) where retailer made highest marketing margin (1.13 Tk/kg) among the actors.The present study found some problems of the existing potato production and marketing system, such as potato growers did not get fair price due to lack of economic storage facilities, existence of stronger middlemen, inefficient transportation facilities, lack of proper marketing information and urgent requirement of money immediately after the potato harvesting period by the farmers. Based on the findings of the present study, it was recommended that credit facilities, timely supply of inputs, application of modern production and postharvest technologies andstability of price should be ensured along with the provision of storage, transport and market facilities.