A comparative study of fertilizer marketing of a semi- arid zone and a delta zone of Tamil Nadu, India

Abstract

This Comparative study focuses on developing an efficient Marketing Mix Model to strengthen the Fertilizer Marketing of a Semi-Arid Zone and a Delta Zone of Tamil Nadu. It is necessary to assure and adequate supply of fertilizers to the farmers as it occupies and important position in agricultural production. So the researcher grounds her discussion on the problems faced by the farmers in the procurement of fertilizers and the hindrances in marketing of the fertilizers by the fertilizer dealers. To collect the dependable primary data, a sample of 500 farmers and 100 fertilizer dealers ( 50 cooperative societies and private traders) in each study area ( a Semi-arid zone ? Perambalur district and a Delta zone ? Thanjavur District) have been chosen through cluster sampling technique ?Schedule I for dealers? has been prepared to collect the information about the marketing practices of the fertilizer dealers and ?Schedule II for farmers ? has been prepared to understand the purchase behaviour, fertilizer usage and the problems faced by the farmers in procurement of fertilizers. The major findings from the farmers? tribulations in fertilizer consumption are [a.] in delta zone most of the farmers procure from cooperative societies and in Semi-arid zone from private dealers. [b]. More farmers are unaware of the authorized dealers [c]. Most of the Marginal and Small farmers have been availing credit facilities for the purchase of fertilizers. The major problems are [i]. Non-availability [ii].Inferior quality [iii]. Price fluctuations and [iv]. Unable to get the credit facilities in time. The finding from the dealers? hindrances is [a]. In both the zones the dealers borrow finance from the commercial banks, money lenders and others. [b]. The fertilizer dealers could not get the needed stock at the right time from the suppliers because of insufficient stocks, finance and transport problems [c] The cooperative societies are better than other traders as many as 60% have been giving credit for more than three months...