STUDY ON MARKETING OF GROUNDNUT IN MANCHERIAL DISTRICT OF TELANGANA

The study was conducted to investigate the marketing channels, marketing costs, margins, price spreads, and challenges involved in the marketing of Groundnut in Mancherial district, Telangana. The sample for the study consisted of 100 farmers and 20 Market Functionaries (10 wholesalers, 5 retailers, and 5 commission agents). Mancherial district was purposely selected as it is a leading district in Telangana for groundnut cultivation. Out of the 16 blocks, Mancherial block was chosen for the study. A list of 20 villages with a significant area under groundnut cultivation was prepared, and 5 villages (Hajipur, Mulkalla, Rapalle, Vempalle, and Gudipet) were purposely selected. All the farmers in the selected villages were listed, and information related to the study was collected using a well-defined and pre-tested schedule through personal interviews or surveys. The data collected pertained to the agricultural year 2021-2022. Tabular analysis, Garrett's ranking technique, marketing cost, margin, and efficiency were employed to analyze the objectives of the study.The findings revealed that Groundnut output is sold through market yards and traders, although some farmers sell directly to traders at the farm gate or village markets, while others use specified marketing channels. Among the problems faced by the farmers, lack of timely market information was ranked first, followed by fluctuations in market prices, involvement of middlemen in marketing, improper weighment, high commission charges, scarcity of labor for transportation and marketing, long distance to markets, absence/insufficient storage facilities, and high cost of transportation. Lack of timely market information was the top-ranked problem identified by the respondents. Farmers expressed concerns about not receiving timely information about market prices from extension personnel and government agencies. Fluctuation in prices was ranked second, as commission agents and traders formed groups and lowered prices whenever there was a surplus quantity in the market, leading to higher profits for commission agents and lower prices for farmers