STATUS AND PERFORMANCE OF DISPLAY BOARDS IN REGULATED AGRICULTURAL MARKETS OF PUNJAB.

Market infrastructure plays an integral role in enhancing marketing efficiency and improving market margins of the farmers. Based on a sample of 322 stakeholders from 23 agricultural markets of Punjab, the present study highlighted the status and performance of display boards in the agricultural markets. lt was found that majority of the farmers reported that the information displayed was mainly focussed on the prices and market arrival of paddy and wheat crop which was also available in many other sources. Lack of information on prices and arrival of fruits and vegetables, inappropriate location of display board, less visibility and lack of local language were other constraints which inversely affect the level of performance of this mode of information. The study suggested the need to display regular and timely information on prices and arrival of fruits and vegetables which would help in crop diversification by enhancing areas under fruits and vegetable crops in the state. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]