Conduct and Performance of Vegetable Marketing System in Kangra District of Himanchal Pradesh in India

This paper describes the existing marketing practices followed by vegetable growers and market intermediaries in Kangra district Himanchal Pradesh of India. The study is based upon extensive data drawn from a sample of 80 vegetable growers selected randomly from 6 villages and 20 intermediaries from two markets within the study area. It has been found that farmers are still following the traditional practices for marketing of vegetable in study area. 100% producers sold their produce immediately after harvest due to unavailability of storage facility in village. Though there is government rule to determine the price of the produce through open auction, commission agents are the one who fix the price in the study market. Mostly, price information is collected from main market (70%) followed by local market (19%). From this study it has been revealed that marketing practices followed in the study area are not in accordance with the standards laid down in the market regulation act. The practices like open auction, grading, market charges and recording sale proceeds are not as per the ideal mechanism prescribed. Emphasis should be given to make New APMC Act 2005 fully operational in the markets.