Involvement of Farm Women Groups in the Planning, Production and Marketing Aspects of Vegetables in Kerala

Abstract

Kerala is a consumer state as far as vegetables are concerned. Major share of the fresh vegetable supply for the state comes from neighbouring states. Promoting vegetable cultivation in the state coupled with suitable marketing mechanism will not only help to make the state self reliant in vegetable production but also ensure year round availability of quality vegetables. The study was conducted in six panchayats of Kollam district in Kerala which includes the selected women groups of Kudumbashree, Vegetable and Fruit Promotion Council Keralam (VFPCK) and Agricultural Technology management Agency (ATMA). There were two categories of respondents viz, members of farm women groups and the extension facilitators. According to the study, majority of the women farmers showed medium level of involvement in the planning, production and marketing aspects of vegetables. It can be inferred that the variable increase in income showed a positive and significant relationship with planning, production and marketing aspects of vegetables. Achievement motivation also showed a significant positive relationship with production.

Factors Responsible for Participation of Self Help Group Farmers in Vegetables and Fruits Promotion Council Kerala, India

“…Mukherjee et al, concluded that if a farmer becomes member of an organization they will have timely access to input supply and value added services which resulting in higher quality produce and a stronger market profit [4]. Chandran and Sreedaya found that an increase in income showed positive relationship with planning, production and marketing aspects of vegetables among farm women groups [5]. The main reason for this was that working in a group creates synergy among the farmers and enables them to access market information as well as sharing experiences.…”