Organic Products: Marketing Practices and Problems in the Plains and Hilly Regions of Uttarakhand

Authors

  •   Surabhi Singh Assistant Professor, Department of Resource Management, Sardakrushinagar Dantiwada Agricultural University, S. K. Nagar, Dist. Banaskantha - 385506, Gujarat

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17010/ijom/2013/v43/i2/34050

Keywords:

Organic Farming, Marketing Practices, Marketing Problems, Distribution Channels, Retailers.

Abstract

In the present study, the investigator explored the problems perceived in marketing of organic products by farmers in Uttarakhand state of India. Descriptive research design with survey method, wherein data were collected through face-to-face structured interviews with 72 farmers in the plains and hilly regions of Uttarakhand was adopted for the present investigation. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics and Chi square test to provide additional information about the effect of the selected variables on perceived problems. The objectives focused on the prevalent marketing practices adopted by the farmers for organic crops and to ascertain marketing related problems perceived by them with reference to organic crops. The most prominent problem in marketing of organic crops reported by the respondents in the plain areas of the state of Uttarakhand was related to 'High Production Cost' that led to low profit, or no profit; while the largest proportion of the respondents from the hills reported 'Unavailability of an earmarked market place/shop for organic crops' to be their biggest cause for concern. The paper further deals with the market place for transaction, distribution channels, satisfaction of the sample of farmers, information on organic crops grown, perceived problems of farmers and implications of the study.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Downloads

Published

2013-07-22

How to Cite

Singh, S. (2013). Organic Products: Marketing Practices and Problems in the Plains and Hilly Regions of Uttarakhand. Indian Journal of Marketing, 43(2), 37–49. https://doi.org/10.17010/ijom/2013/v43/i2/34050

References

Baraskina I. (2002). “Development and Marketing Initiatives of Organic Production In Latvia.†Paper presented at International Scientific Conference on Scientific Aspect of Organic Farming. March 21-22, pp. 26-29.

Bhattacharyya P., Chakraborty G. (2005). “Current Status of Organic Farming In India and Other Countries.†Indian Journal of Fertilizers, 1(9), pp. 111-123.

Borgstein M. M., Zimmerman K. L. (1993). “Retail Trade in Organic Products: Possibilities For Supermarkets and Speciality Shops Next to Natural Food Shops.†Modedling Landboun Economics Institute, 479, p. 78.

Chandra S., Shankar S. (2007). “Organic Farming In India: Its Opportunity and Challenges In The Context of Globalization.†Indian Journal of Marketing, 37 (8) , pp. 39- 46.

Conner D., Bingen J., Martinez L. (2008). “Organic Marketing Opportunities and Obstacles in the Great Lakes States : Towards a Research Agenda.†Report, Dept. of CARRS Michigan State University.

Cook R. (1988). “Marketing of Organic Commodities in California: Structure and Obstacles to Expansion.†Paper Presented In Western Economic Association Meetings, July 2, 1988.

Eisenbach J. (2002). “Distribution Channels For Greek Organic Food in the Domestic and International Market.†British Food Journal, 104(3-5), pp. 214-219.

Funtilana S. (1990). “Safe, Inexpensive, Profitable, and Sensible.†International Agricultural Development, 24.

Hamm U., Michelsen J. (2000). “Analysis of the Organic Food Market in Europe.†Paper presented in the 13th International IFOAM Scientific Conference. August 28 - 31, 2000, pp. 507-510.

IFOAM (2003). “Developing Local Marketing Initiatives For Organic Products In Asia, A Guide for Small and Medium Enterprises.†IFOAM, Germany, 2003. p. 4.

Jervell A. M., Borgen S. O., Flaten O. (2004). “From Field To Table? The Marketing of Organic Products In Norway. Marketing Trends For Organic Food In the 21st Century.†Series on Computers and Operations Research, 3, pp. 275-289.

Jha (2005). “Production and Trade In Organic Agricultural Products.†Available at www.unctad.org/trade_env accessed on June 23, 2009.

Kaldis P. E., Gardeli C. I., Mattas K., Papanagiotou E., Galanopoulos K. (1996). “Agro-Food Small and Medium Enterprises in a Large Integrated Economy.†Paper Presented In The 44th seminar of the European Association of Agricultural Economists. October 11 - 14, Greece, pp. 124-131.

Kediyal V. K., Dimri S. (2009). “Traditional methods of Rice Cultivation and SRI in Uttarakhand Hills.†Asian Agri-History, 13(4), pp. 293-306.

Lohr L., Graf A. (2000). “Organic Market Exploration In The United States. Paper presented at the 13th International IFOAM Scientific Conference, August 28 -31 2000, pp. 513-516.

Messinger P. R., Narasimhan C. (1995). “Has Power Shifted in the Grocery Channel?†Marketing Science, 14 (2), pp. 189-223.

Mishra S. (2006). "Organic Drive In Uttaranchal Ignores Farmers' Concerns. India Environment Portal-Knowledge For Change." The Economic Times, New Delhi Edition. August 20, 2006.

Murayama K. (1997). “The Present Status and Tasks of the Inorganic Product Marketing in Japan. Why is the Alternative Marketing Important?†Paper Presented In The Scientific Conference And General Assembly On Food Security In Harmony With Nature. December 1- 4, Bangalore, p. 327.

Organic Consumers Association (2003). “Market Research Shows Rapid Growth of Organic Food.†Available at http://www.organicconsumers.org/organic/072503_organic_growth.cfm accessed on June 23, 2009.

Roshan P. M. (2010). “Organic Agriculture In India.†www.chillbreeze.com, accessed on March 25, 2010.

Sebastin M. (1997). “Organic Farming In Kerala: Problems and Prospects in Marketing.†Paper Presented In Scientific Conference On Food Security In Harmony With Nature, December1-4, 1997, p. 347.

Singh J. (2009). “A Report of On Impact Assessment of Centre of Organic Farming In Uttarakhand.†December 2009, Sri Ratan Tata Trust, Mumbai.

Swenson A., Brummond B. (2000). “Projected 2000 Organic Crop Budgets for South Central North Dakota.†March, 2000. North Dakota Cooperative Extension. available at www.ext.nodak.edu/extpubs/ecguides.htm accessed on June 23, 2009.

Wai Ong Kung (2000). “From Farm to Table. Aspects and Challenges to Alternative Trade/Marketing in Agriculture.†Humus Consultancy, Malaysia. Revised Edition, October 2000.

Yussefi, Minou, Willers H. (2003). “The World of Organic Agriculture - Statistics and Future Prospects.†IFOAM, Germany, Fifth Edition