Abstract: This study investigates the marketable surplus and marketing systems of sugarcane and its by-product, jaggery, in West Champaran district, Bihar—a key sugarcane-producing region. Despite favorable agroclimatic conditions, farmers face challenges such as inadequate infrastructure, delayed payments from sugar mills, high marketing costs, and middlemen exploitation. Data were collected from 120 farmers across seven villages in Sikta block using a multistage sampling method, with analysis based on Garrett's ranking technique, and Acharya’s marketing efficiency formula. Results revealed that jaggery is mainly sold through long chains of intermediaries, reducing profits. Small and marginal farmers are especially affected due to limited credit access, poor transportation, and lack of market information. Average marketable surplus stood at 77.97% for sugarcane and 98.38% for jaggery, showing strong commercialization potential. The study recommends promoting Farmer-Producer Organizations (FPOs), improving rural processing, ensuring timely mill payments, and enhancing market access to boost farmer income and rural development.
Keywords: Sugarcane, Jaggery, Marketable Surplus, Marketing Channels
Author: Rahul Kumar and Sanjay Kumar
Reference: REFERENCES Government of India (2023). Agricultural Statistics at a Glance 2022-23. Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Department of Agriculture & Cooperation, New Delhi. Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) (2018). Report on Sugarcane Production and Marketing in India. New Delhi. Kumar, A., & Sharma, P. (2018). Marketable and marketed surplus of major crops in India: Determinants and policy implications. Agricultural Economics Research Review, 31(1), 67–76. Kumar, V. (2017). Marketable surplus and marketing of sugarcane in Bihar: A case study of West Champaran. (Unpublished doctoral dissertation). Rajendra Agricultural University, Pusa, Bihar. Patel, M., Verma, S., & Sinha, P. (2020). Effectiveness of cooperative models in sugarcane marketing: A study from Bihar. Journal of Rural Development, 39(1), 89–104. https://doi.org/10.1177/0973798320900744 Singh, S. P. (2020). Economics, Input Use Efficiency, Yield Gap and Constraints Analysis of Sugarcane Farming in West-Champaran District of Bihar: Micro Perspectives.
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