Study on marketing of groundnut in Aligarh district of Uttar Pradesh

Introduction

Organic Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.), commonly known as peanut, earthnut, or goober, is an important legume crop cultivated primarily for its edible seeds. Belonging to the Fabaceae family, it is valued globally as a food, oil, and industrial crop due to its high nutritional content, versatility, and adaptability to diverse agro-climatic conditions. Originating in South America, archaeological evidence suggests its domestication as early as 5800 BCE, with subsequent introduction to Africa, Asia, and Europe by explorers and traders (Lampkin, 2000;White, 1987) [5, 7] . Groundnut is an annual herbaceous plant with pinnate leaves and yellow, self-pollinating flowers. Its unique geocarpic nature allows pods to develop underground, protecting seeds from environmental stress and predation. The crop thrives in tropical and subtropical regions with well-drained sandy or loamy soils, optimal temperatures of 20-30°C, and moderate rainfall of 621-1000 mm. Cultivation involves land preparation, sowing, weeding, pest management, fertilization, irrigation, and harvesting, with Rhizobium inoculation enhancing nitrogen fixation. Economically, groundnut contributes significantly to farmers' incomes, rural employment, and value addition through oil, cakes, and confectionery products. Nutritionally, it is rich in protein, healthy fats, fiber, vitamins, and minerals, making it a crucial dietary component. Industrially, its shells and by-products are used for biofuels, particleboard, and animal feed. In Uttar Pradesh, groundnut cultivation is concentrated in districts like Agra, Mathura, Aligarh, Etah, and Firozabad, where sandy loam soils and favorable climate conditions support production. The crop plays a vital role in crop rotation, soil fertility enhancement, and economic diversification, particularly for small and marginal farmers. However, challenges such as climate variability, pests, diseases, market fluctuations, and inadequate infrastructure limit productivity and profitability. Government initiatives, including subsidies, extension services, and research programs, aim to improve production, marketing, and value addition. This study focuses on groundnut production and marketing in Aligarh district of Uttar Pradesh, addressing issues related to production efficiency, market access, and income generation. The findings are expected to guide farmers, policymakers, and researchers in enhancing productivity, profitability, and sustainable cultivation practices in the region.

Research Methodology

The present study was conducted in Aligarh district of Uttar Pradesh, a prominent region for groundnut cultivation. Atrauli block was purposively selected due to its highest area under groundnut farming. Three villages Abhaypur, Bahlolpur, and Abunasirpur were randomly chosen based on their groundnut cultivation area. From each village, fifteen farmers were selected, resulting in a total sample of 100 respondents, stratified by landholding size into marginal (below 1 ha), small (1-2 ha), semi-medium (2-3 ha), www.extensionjournal.com medium (3-10 ha), and large (above 10 ha) categories. Primary data were collected through personal interviews using structured schedules, while secondary data were obtained from government records, published reports, books, and journals. The study also incorporated marketlevel data by selecting primary (Atrauli) and secondary (Aligarh) markets and their functionaries, including wholesalers and retailers, to understand marketing costs, price spread, and efficiency. The study employed multistage stratified random sampling, starting from the selection of the district, block, villages, and finally, respondents. Analytical tools included averages, percentages, and simple ranking methods. Marketing parameters were analyzed using formulas for marketing cost, market margin, and price spread. Garrett's ranking technique was applied to assess problems faced by farmers and intermediaries in cultivation, processing, and marketing of groundnut. The climatic, soil, and socio-economic characteristics of the study area were considered to ensure representative and reliable data for the 2023-24 agricultural year.

Results and discussion

The study evaluated the socio-economic profile of groundnut growers, marketing channels, efficiency, and constraints in Aligarh district, Uttar Pradesh. A total of 100 respondents were surveyed using multistage stratified random sampling.

Socio-Economic Profile of Farmers

Farm Size: Majority were marginal farmers (<1 ha, 37.71%), followed by small (27.30%), semi-medium (17.71%), medium (10%), and large (5.55%) (Table 1).

Marketing Channels

Groundnut was marketed via three channels. Most respondents preferred Channel III (Producer → Wholesaler → Retailer → Consumer, 53.33%), followed by Channel II (33.33%) and Channel I (13.33%) (Table 3). Costs and margins increased with intermediaries, while efficiency slightly decreased.

Constraints in Marketing

Price fluctuation (55.10) was the most critical constraint, followed by lack of price information (51.51) and malpractices by traders (51.03) (Table 5).

References

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