International Journal of Commerce & Business Management

Foram Vithani ¹, R. S. Pundir ²

Affiliations
1 International Agribusiness Management Institute, Anand Agricultural University, Anand (Gujarat), IN
2 Department of Agribusiness Economics and Policies, International Agribusiness Management Institute, Anand Agricultural University, Anand (Gujarat), IN

Abstract

The agricultural micronutrients market growth has increased progressively because of increased global micronutrient deficiency in soil, shrinkage in the world's agricultural land, intensive cropping pattern, extensive use of chemical fertilizers, mining of micronutrient reserves and extensive irrigation facilities. The micronutrients include iron, manganese, zinc, boron, copper and molybdenum required by most plants in small amounts are not less important in plant growth than the other essential nutrients. In order to understand market potential and buying behaviour of micronutrient fertilizers in different districts, the present study was undertaken during 2016. Data were collected through personal interview from 120 farmers and 50 retailers in two districts of Gujarat i.e. Vadodara and Bharuch. Majority of the respondents were medium farmers having land of 4 to 10 acre and were observed growing banana, sugarcane, cotton, castor and chilli. Eighty three per cent of the respondents of Vadodara district and 92 per cent of Bharuch district were found using micronutrient fertilizers. The farmers who were not using the micronutrient fertilizers gave the reasons like they did not need, they were aware but did not use and they knew the importance but did not want to use in any way. Market potential for different categories of micronutrient fertilizers varied from approximately 3 lakhs to 71 crore in both districts. Most of the farmers received information regarding micronutrient fertilizers from retailers (62% in Vadodara and 72% in Bharuch) and were observed purchasing the micronutrient fertilizers from local private dealers/retailers (82% in Vadodara and 75% in Bharuch). Farmers used their past experience for purchase of micronutrient fertilizers. Many of the retailers faced the problems of unawareness of farmers, orthodox mind of farmers, delay in payment of credit and less understanding about micronutrient fertilizers.

Keywords

Micronutrient Fertilizers, Market Potential, Farmer’s Buying Behaviour.

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Dhumisani Moyo ¹, Y. C. Zala ², R. S. Pundir ³

Affiliations
1 Department of Agricultural Economics, Anand Agricultural University, Anand (Gujarat), IN
2 International Agribusiness Management Institute, Anand Agricultural University, Anand (Gujarat), IN
3 Agribusiness Economics and Policies, International Agribusiness Management Institute, Anand Agricultural University, Anand (Gujarat), IN

Abstract

The present investigation was conducted to study the growth rates and instability indices in production, area, productivity and export of cotton, and the components of output growth in the major cotton producing countries. The study used secondary data covering a period of 29 years i.e.1980-81 to 2009-10. The analyses were carried out country wise separately for the five specific periods viz., overall study period (1980-81 to 2009-10), pre-liberalization period (1980-81 to 1993-94), post-liberalization period (1995-96 to 2009-10), pre-Bt introduction period (1995-96 to 2001-02) and post-Bt introduction period (2002-03 to 2009-10). The countries concerned in the study were China, India, USA, Pakistan, Brazil and Australia. The results of the study showed that there were variations in growth rates and instability of area, productivity, production and export during the five periods. The country-wise picture was composite. Some countries witnessed higher growth and instability while others experienced a relatively low growth and instability. The analysis of components of growth in cotton output showed that the main contribution to growth in Australia, Brazil, China and USA was predominately due to area effect. Whereas, in India and Pakistan the main contribution to cotton output growth was yield effect. Technological programmes to play a substantial role in achieving high growth rate of cotton production should be designed. Such programmes and policies should include developing new high yielding varieties and provision of irrigation facilities to cotton growing farmers. Research efforts are needed to strengthen agricultural extension and the cotton breeding programmes using new efficient technologies.

Keywords

Export, Growth, Instability Indices, Technology, Decomposition Model.

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