Vol. 12, Special Issue 12 (2023)

Author(s):
RA Bhosale, SR Torane, PJ Kshirsagar, NS Shinde, AD Chakranarayan and MS Sawant

Abstract:
A study on retail vegetable marketing was conducted in Ratnagiri district (Maharashtra). 100 vegetable sellers consisting of 45 roadside vendors and 55 retailers were selected. In study area, 38 vegetables were found to be sold in retail markets. Indicating a variety of vegetables made available in consumers' baskets. The annual average quantity of vegetables purchased was 38467 kg, quantity sold in the retail market was 34109 kg resulting in a wastage of about 4339 kg (11.29%) Among the different vegetables potato, radish, ridge gourd, and elephant yam fall into high wastage categories. lemon, mushroom, and Colocasia leaves were found to be less wastage categories. The overall hike in the selling price over buying rate was 62.16 percent. Out of the total cost in retail marketing, 98.98 percent was variable cost, 1.01 percent was fixed cost. Among the variable cost items were the cost of vegetables (85.11%) and fuel and transport (8.09%). The total cost, gross income, and net return were Rs 1287377, Rs1613208, and Rs3258301, respectively, resulting in a B: C ratio of 1.25 indicating the profitability of the venture. Wastage percentage of vegetables is 11.29 percent due to which income reduction is 17.10 percent. Fluctuations in market prices, lack of storage, and loss of vegetables in transportation were found to be major constraints in retail vegetables. It was concluded that the strategic planning required to curb the wastage in vegetable marketing by providing storage, and transportation facilities so that it will benefit vegetable sellers as well as producers.