Marketing efficiency of organic garlic and potatoes in Gasa district of Bhutan

บทคัดย่อ

This study was carried out with the objective of looking at the marketing efficiency of organic garlic and potatoes in Gasa district. Applying a simple random sampling method, 60 farmers from Goenkhamed and 30 farmers from Goenkhatoed villages under Gasa district were involved in the study. The findings of the study were based on production and marketing data for 2020-2021 season of garlic and potato. The study employed Shepherds and Acharya-Agarwal’s modified method to find the marketing efficiency of garlic and potatoes. Of the three popular channels of marketing prevalent in the study area viz 1) Farmers to consumers, 2) Farmers to retailers to consumers, and 3) Farmers to wholesalers to retailers to consumers, garlic farmers preferred channel 3 while potato channels preferred channel 1. From efficiency analysis, channel 1 was found to be the most efficient channel for garlic and potatoes. To reduce losses resulting from post-harvest handling of garlic and potato, farmers should be provided technical support and training on storing and post-harvest technology. Additionally, farmers are recommended to work in groups to reduce marketing or any other related costs while marketing organic vegetables. The government should invest in improving road connectivity and putting in place an efficient and reliable transport system to make the marketing channels more efficient and convenient for both farmers and consumers.