Marketing scenario and sustainability of vegetable enterprise of specially targeted ultra poor in North Bengal

Abstract

The study aimed to explore the marketing system of vegetables grown by the members of the specially targeted ultra poor (STUP) to identify problems and to suggest solutions for sustaining. Data were collected from 79 second cycle vegetable enterprise households Jaldhaka and Syedpur upazi/as of Nilphamari district and through questionnaire survey in May 2004. Marketing system comprises of marketing channel and marketing functions. The marketing channel was found to have undergone changes in the second cycle compared to first cycle. The members became more market oriented and more middlemen entered the marketing channel in the second cycle compared to first cycle. There were no major problems other than land renewal. About 46% of the vegetable cultivators faced land renewal problems. Land mortgage instead of land lease may be considered, as this type of land contract can be made for 2-3 years, and is preferred by the vegetable growers. BRAC may consider purchasing land and leasing it out to the STUP members, which would be a long- term solution.