Abstract: This study aim to analyze the role of Gadat Vibhag Vividh Karyakari Sahkari Khedut Mandali Ltd. co-operative societies and their services with respect to supply of agricultural inputs, finance, marketing of produce
etc. by the mango, sapota and banana growers of Navsari district of Gujarat state. The aim of the study was to comparison of different horticultural produce marketing cost, margins and price spread in the operational area Gadat Vibhag Vividh Karyakari Sahkari Khedut Mandali Ltd. With their members and non-members. This study provides more insight on the impact and performance of the small scale cooperative. The present study was on “Performance and Profitability of Gadat Vibhag Vividh Karyakari Sahkari Khedut Mandali Ltd., Gadat of Navsari District, Gujarat”.
The selected cooperative society is one of the oldest cooperative society existed since 1944.The selected cooperative society was operating in 9 villages and study covered all 9 villages, from each village 10 registered members and 10 non-members of the society were selected randomly. The primary data were collected from respondents pertains to the year 2019-2020. The market related data was collected from concerned markets as well as retailers and wholesalers.
Secondary data were collected from the previous records of the society and its audit reports. In order to fulfill the stipulated objectives of the study, the major analytical tools employed were tabular analysis, marketing cost, marketing margins and price spread.
The study investigated the marketing channels for bananas in the study area, identifying two predominant routes: Channel-I involving Co-operative Societies and Channel-II involving Commission agents cum Wholesalers. The analysis delved into the marketing costs incurred by different intermediaries in each channel, revealing distinct patterns.
In Channel-I, the total marketing cost was ₹ 71.75 per quintal, with producers incurring 26.09%, co-operatives 33%, and retailers shouldering the majority at 40.97%. In Channel-II, the overall cost was higher at ₹ 294.54 per quintal, attributed to elevated spoilage charges and transportation costs. The study compared the marketing costs and revealed higher expenses in Channel-II.
The subsequent examination of price spread unveiled that Channel-II experienced a higher spread of ₹ 579.48 per quintal compared to Channel-I's ₹ 481.20. Despite Channel-II's wider price spread, Channel-I was deemed more efficient due to its lower spread. This finding aligns with previous research, emphasizing the efficacy of co-operative channels in minimizing price spreads. The study underscores the importance of optimizing marketing channels for the benefit of both producers and consumers.
