Addressing Production and Marketing Constraints of Arecanut Growers: Insights from Tumcos in Davanagere, Karnataka, India
Preeti YH *
Department of Agricultural Extension, University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore, Karnataka, India.
Thirumal A
Department of Agricultural Extension, University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore, Karnataka, India.
Anil, K
Department of Agricultural Extension, University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore, Karnataka, India.
Rahul Prasad R
Department of Agricultural Extension, University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore, Karnataka, India.
Priya YH
Department of Agronomy, University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad, Karnataka, India.
Arpitha, H B
Department of Plant Pathology, College of Agriculture VC Farm Mandya, Karnataka, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
This study was conducted in the Davanagere district of Karnataka to analyze the constraints faced by TUMCOS member and non-member arecanut growers and to propose solutions for overcoming these challenges. A total of 120 areca producers (60 members and 60 non-members) were randomly selected from five TUMCOS branch regions. Data were collected through personal interviews and analysed using frequency, per cent and rank order method. The majority of farmers (90.83%) identified labor shortages as a primary production constraint. Financial challenges included inadequate subsidies (58.33%), while marketing challenges were high transportation costs (69.17%) and remote market locations (66.67%). A significant portion of farmers (65%) suggested improving market infrastructure, including transportation, storage, and weighing facilities, to address these issues.
Keywords: Arecanut production, marketing challenges, labor availability, financial constraints, TUMCOS