Value Chain Analysis of Maize in Mahabubnagar District of Telangana State, India (Published)
India is the sixth largest producer of maize in the world, and contributed about 2 per cent to the global maize production of 855.72 million tonnes (Mt) in 2012-13. Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh are the corn belts from South where Karnataka alone occupies 12% of the total area (one million ha) and contributes nearly 16% of its total production. Nearly ¾ of the produce is being processed as animal feed and remaining for human consumption and industrial use. There is a huge demand for maize and maize products because, it is rich in lysine, tryptophan, amino acids and low fat content and it is a good product for diabetic and obese disorders. Now a days there is a more demand for maize value added products in urban and peri-urban areas, indicating a vast scope for fortification as nutritional supplementation at all the stages right from farmer’s field to consumer’s plate. The rich nutri-maize is available in abundance to the consumers at relatively cheaper price (compared to other cereals) can be further commercially exploited for nutritive health foods by value addition and making available them at affordable price for the advantage of vulnerable groups and other consumers at large. The main objective of the study was to carry out value chain analysis of maize in Mahabubnagar district and environs with a view to identify potential production, demand and supply, value chain, value additions, key sector constraints and opportunities and appropriate interventions.
Keywords: Cereals, Commercialization, Consumer, Good agricultural practices, Maize, Market Channels, Value Additions., Value Chain
Marketing Skills as a factor Influencing Adoption of Innovations along the Mango supply Chain in Meru County, Kenya (Review Completed - Accepted)
The study adopted descriptive survey design. The population of the study consisted of Mango Growers in Meru County and the mango traders and exporters. Meru County was chosen due to the good climatic condition that has made it suitable for mangoes production. This study adopted a probability sampling method to select the respondents for the study. Out of 13,442 farmers, traders and exporters, 447 farmers, 12 traders and 2 exporters were randomly selected for interview. Secondary data used in the study was collected from the Ministry of Agriculture Offices while primary data was collected from the respondents using a structured questionnaire with both open and close ended questions. Both qualitative and quantitative data were used in the analysis. Quantitative data obtained from the field was analyzed using descriptive and inferential techniques. The descriptive techniques adopted were means and frequencies while the inferential technique used were regression and correlation to establish relationship between variables in the study and inferences made. Frequency tables and charts were used to present the findings.
The study found out that majority of the traders/exporters were trained on marketing. They had price knowledge, product knowledge and promotion knowledge and majority adopted innovations unlike the growers who had low marketing skills; this would explain why 39% of the produce goes to waste. On traders/ exporters, a significant chi-square relationship was established with innovation given a chi-square value of 9.620 at p=0.047.
The study concludes that marketing skills influence buying and selling; and if value chain members had excellent marketing skills, nothing could be going to waste as they would adopt relevant technologies and add value to the produce and meet the customers’ needs.
The study recommends that there is need for intense training on market skills on value chain members and stakeholders, either through NGOs and private sector. There is also need for business incubation programs and need to revise training curriculum to cater for marketing skills.
Keywords: Adoption, Agriculture, Innovation, Mango, Marketing Skills, Value Chain