Marketing of banana in selected districts of India

Marketing costs, margins and important marketing channels for 'Basrai' cv. (Dwarf cavendish) were examined on the basis of data collected from growers, co-operative societies and intermediaries in selected districts of India. Losses at farm after harvest and during marketing up to retail level were studied. Farmers sell their standing crop to pre-harvest contractors and also to co-operative societies and commission agents. The net price received by the farmer is slightly less when produce is sold through co-operative society since the society charges higher commission than private commission agents. The share of producer, trader/whole seller and retailer in price paid by consumer was nearly 28, 22 and 40 percent, respectively in two major channels in which farmers sold the produce to buyers of distant market through co-operative societies and commission agents. Transportation cost increased with distance between production area and market and this increased marketing cost. At local market in Jalgaon, retailer's share was 63.13% in price paid by the consumer. The losses of banana fruit at farm, wholesale and retail levels were 5.38, 3.50 and 2.85%, respectively. Losses at farm included culled, very small- sized, splitted and black spotted fruit. Rotting and softening were the major causes of loss at retail level since the fruit was ripened just before the retail phase of marketing.