Production and Marketing Constraints among Banana Farmers in Thiruvananthapuram District, Kerala, India: Evidence from Garrett’s Ranking Technique
P. Amaya *
Department of Agricultural Economics, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, India.
Aswathy Vijayan
Regional Agricultural Research Station, Ambalavayal, Wayanad, India.
Anil Kuruvila
Department of Agricultural Economics, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, India.
Jithin Chandran
Information Security Officer and Analyst, Statoberry LLP, Kerala, India.
F. Thasnimol
Department of Agricultural Economics, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, India.
Geetha Lekshmi P. R.
Department of Post Harvest Management College of Agriculture Vellayani, Kerala agricultural University, India.
G. Neeraja Giri
Department of Agricultural Economics, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Background: Banana farmers may encounter production risks and marketing difficulties that differ across marketing channels.
Aims: To identify and rank the major production constraints faced by banana farmers and compare the marketing constraints experienced by farmers using public-sector and private-sector marketing channels in Thiruvananthapuram district, Kerala.
Study Design: A cross-sectional farm-level study based on primary data.
Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted among banana farmers in Thiruvananthapuram district, Kerala, covering the blocks of Nemom, Parassala and Perumkadavila.
Methodology: Garrett’s ranking technique was used to assess the relative importance of constraints reported by farmers. Production constraints were analysed separately from marketing constraints, and marketing constraints were examined separately for public-sector and private-sector channels. The study sample comprised 200 banana farmers, with 100 respondents in each marketing-channel group.
Results: Climate- and weather-related problems ranked first among production constraints (Garrett score 70.45), followed by pest and disease incidence (61.26), high labour cost (43.92), high input prices (40.60) and wild animal attacks (30.52). Among public-sector market participants, price fluctuation ranked first (64.32), followed by payment delay (53.58), lack of buyers (49.85) and unfavourable quality-based pricing (32.24). Among private-sector participants, price fluctuation also ranked first (61.40), followed by difficulty in marketing the entire quantity (54.75) and unfavourable quality-based pricing (33.09).
Conclusion: The findings show that banana farmers face interconnected production, price-realisation and market-disposal challenges. Climate resilience and crop protection are priorities for production, while improved buyer participation, transparent grading, timely disposal of unsold produce and reliable payment settlement are important for strengthening the performance of marketing channels.
Keywords: Banana, Garrett’s ranking technique, production constraints, marketing constraints, public-sector markets, private markets