ศูนย์นวัตกรรมเทคโนโลยีหลังการเก็บเกี่ยว

How to save growers against losses of perishables?

Khan, R. A. R.;

Journal of Rural Development and Administration Year: 1992 Vol: 24 Issue: 2 Pages: 43-50

1992

บทคัดย่อ

The marketing of perishables, especially fruits and vegetables in Pakistan is based largely upon centuries old customs. Losses from the producer to the consumer may be as high as 50%. Any measure taken for increasing production will be self-defeating unless growers are assured of suitable returns and outlets for their marketable surplus. The development of transport, storage and processing facilities widens the market for farm products. Problems related to agricultural marketing in general and vegetable marketing in particular which result in the reduction of farmers' returns from vegetables are: postharvest losses; lack of localized markets; lack of infrastructure; and weak market intelligence. Estimating future prices is not easy because they are influenced and determined by many factors or variables. If farmers are accurate in their predictions, they can adjust production in line with prices to reap the highest profits. Seasonal price fluctuations depend mainly on the perishability of the commodity and its price elasticity of demand. If production is to be made profitable, it must be directed to serve specific market requirements. Specific information is therefore required by the farmer to gauge the outlook for a crop in terms of production and marketing costs, and net returns. All this requires the development of an efficient agricultural information system and of infrastructural facilities.