Economics of marketing of apple ber in Dhule district of Maharashtra

Abstract

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the economic aspects, resource use efficiency, and marketing dynamics of Apple Ber in the Dhule district of Maharashtra. The investigation encompassed 90 randomly selected growers across six villages situated in the Dhule and Sindkheda tehsils. Three distinct marketing channels were identified based on intermediary involvement: Channel-I operates directly from Producer to Retailer to Consumer; Channel-II flows from Producer to Wholesaler to Retailer to Consumer; and Channel-III progresses from Producer to Pre-harvest Contractor to Wholesaler to Retailer to Consumer. The per quintal marketing costs incurred by producers were ₹170.42 for Channel-I and ₹172.16 for Channel-II. In contrast, producers incurred zero direct marketing costs under Channel-III, as pre-harvest contractors managed all post-harvest handling. Packing materials, grading charges, and transportation expenses emerged as the principal operational cost components. Channel-I was determined to be the most efficient marketing route, recording the highest modified marketing efficiency index (10.09) and the narrowest price spread (₹404.77 per quintal).