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The present study was conducted in the district of Goalpara, Assam to examine the economics of marketing in the district covering a total sample size of 258 banana growers. The banana growers were stratified into five groups based on land holding viz., Marginal (Below 4.0 ha), Small (4.0-8.0 ha), Semi-Medium (8.0-16.0 ha), Medium (16.0-40.0 ha) and Large (40.0 ha and above). The study mainly based on primary and data were collected through pre-tested survey schedule through personal interview method of sampling. The Shepherd formula for marketing efficiency was used to analyze the data. The results revealed that Jahaji Banana, Seni-Champa Banana and Malbhog Banana were banan varieties grown in the study area. The banana growers used four marketing channels in the district. Results revealed that for marketing of Jahaji Banana, Seni-Champa Banana and Malbhog Banana, the marketing Channel I, Channel IV and for Channel I were most efficient Channel for marketing of banana. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

India is a predominantly agricultural economy. More than 70% of its population is directly or indirectly involved in agricultural activities. India is one of the foremost producers of spices in the world. According to the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), 63 spices are grown in India. Ginger is one of the main spices and plays a vital role in the production and export of the country. Meghalaya's economy is predominantly agriculture-based with 81% of its population depending on agriculture, though agricultural productivity in Meghalaya is very low. This paper analyzes resource use efficiency in ginger production in Meghalaya's West Garo Hills district. The study is based on primary data. The multi-stage random sampling technique was used to select 300 ginger farmers. To estimate resource use efficiency in ginger production, the Cobb-Douglas type of production function was best fitted to the data. Independent variables identified were land (X1), seed (X2), labour (X3), harvesting cost (X4), marketing cost (X5) and others include hoe, dao (wait), digging spades (X6) and dependent variables as production of ginger(Y). Among the inputs used for the production of ginger which had positive and significant influences at the overall level, the MVP to PX ratio was less than one for land (0.07), seed (0.26), human labor (0.08), harvesting cost (0.08), marketing cost (0.13) and others (0.09) indicated under-utilization of these resources in the cultivation of ginger. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Arecanut (Areca catechu L) is one of the important cash crops in India and ranks first in terms of both area and production of arecanut in world. Meghalaya holds 4th position in the production of arecanut in India producing 51,000 tonnes in 2019. The total of 200 samples was selected for the study. The marketing channels were identified based on various intermediaries involved in the marketing process. A total of 4 marketing channels found in the study area of which Channel II (Producer - Village Trader - Whole seller - Consumer) was the most effective channel for marketing arecanut, accounting for nearly 40% of the total marketed quantity. In terms of marketing margin earned by the different marketing channel, channel III was found to be earned the highest marketing margin consists of the marketing margin earned by the wholesaler, village traders and retailer. The Producers share in Consumer's Rupee (%) was found to be highest in Channel I. The study of arecanut marketing channels offers valuable lessons for the broader agricultural sector, suggesting pathways to enhance producer income, reduce marketing costs, and improve the overall efficiency of agricultural marketing systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study envisages the economic impact of Self- Help Groups on empowerment of rural women in West Garo Hills district of Meghalaya. The study was conducted in West Garo Hills district of Meghalaya and comprised of a sample of 200 women SHG beneficiaries under SHG finance. The samples were stratified into three size groups viz., Group I (Less than Rs. 65000.00), Group II (Rs. 65001 - 135000) and Group III (Rs. 135001.00 and above) based on annual income by using the Cumulative Root Frequency Rule. On an average, 1274.92 per cent of the sample beneficiaries had access to credit sources for loan and 1387.05 per cent of the SHG beneficiaries had frequently visited banks, line departments, etc. The per capita income of the SHG beneficiaries across various size groups showed an increasing trend with the size groups ranged from 42.90 per cent in Group I to 105.83 per cent in Group III beneficiaries and 127.28 per cent of the employments had been generated through different employment generating activities. The SHG beneficiaries of various size groups have registered positive and significant changes in the better economic standards of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study was conducted in West Garo Hills district of Meghalaya during the cropping season of 2010-11 to analyze the economics of wetland rice cultivation. Data for the study were collected from 120 wetland rice farmers through simple random sampling procedure from six different Community Development Blocks. The results showed that the overall cost amounting to cost A1 (Rs. 17,696.21/ ha-1), Cost B1 (Rs. 18939.59 ha-1), Cost C1 (Rs. 21632.88 ha-1), Cost C2 (Rs. 23796.17 ha-1) in various size groups of wetland rice farmers. Total costs of wetland rice production was Rs. 21633 ha-1 with the average productivity of 2323 kg ha-1 in the study area. Gross return was estimated to be Rs. 29051 with the benefit cost ratio of 1.34 at total cost. The highest overall share of utilization of agroinputs was accounted for by human labour (40.61%) followed by tractor/power tiller (24.29%). Other agro-inputs like seeds, FYM/vermicompost, fertilizers, bullock labour accounted for 6.12, 4.12, 4.29, 2.11 per cent of total expenditure, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]