Files
Abstract
Coconut crop forms an important constituent of food basket of the people of Orissa and meets the
economic needs of people dependent on its marketing. The study conducted in five coastal districts of
Orissa, namely, Puri, Cuttack, Khurda, Ganjam, and Jagatsinghpur has examined the market chains for
coconut to find the flow of product from farmers through different intermediaries to the consumers. Prices
and market margins have been computed at the different stages of the chain in order to reflect the value
addition through various participants of the chain. Marketing channels have been found to be well
established in the state, particularly in the coastal areas. No major value addition is done by the players at
any level. The existence of functional channels explains that production and marketing system of coconut
in the state can manage both increased supply and increased demand. The study has observed a high ratio
of vendors v/s farmers and aggregators v/s vendors in the channel. In spite of this high ratio, both vendors
and aggregators are able to earn profit and are continuing the business. It is suggested that coconut based
industries should be jointly promoted by state industry department, state agriculture department
and Coconut Development Board.