Production and Marketing of Selected high Value Crops through Self Help Groups in Meghalaya- A Case Study

Abstract

Meghalya is suitable for growing a number of high value horticultural crops. Lack of assured supply round the year, constraints the development of desired market development in the state. Horizontal integration among the farmers/growers has been viewed as one of the options to off-set these short comings of present marketing system. Present paper tries to analyze the functioning of such SHGs in Ri Bhoi District of Meghalaya focusing on some of the important high value crops namely, Ginger, Capsicum, Tomato, Turmeric, Broccoli, Strawberry, Anthurium, Rose, Lilium etc. Results indicated that the SHGs has motivated the farmers/growers to grow existing high value crops and also encouraged to introduce new crops. However, increase in terms of net income due to formulation of SHGs was not observed to be significantly different from the growers without being a member of SHGs. Also farmers were uncertain whether or not to continue newly introduced crops (such as Broccoli) when the Government support (for example, DHO supported through providing seeds and ensuring price to buy back the products) is being withdrawn. Notwithstanding with these weaknesses, in general, it has been observed that the formation of SHGs have been articulating desired enthusiasm and encouragement among the primary producers and gradually they are willing to take up new crop enterprises which may facilitate improvement of farm income.