Agricultural marketing practices in West Bengal with special reference to potato-A critical review

Agricultural marketing system is the critical link between farm production sector on the one hand and non-farm sector and urban economy on the other. An efficient agricultural marketing system helps in optimization of resource use, output management, increase in farm incomes, widening of markets, growth of agro-based industry, addition to regional development through value addition, and employment creation. The central objective of the present paper is to make a review of the agricultural marketing practices in the state of West Bengal with special reference to potato. In addition, we have explored the problems faced by farmers in marketing their produce. We have also suggested measures to solve the problems including the role to be played by the government. The paper is based on secondary data and literature made available from the scholarly writings in journals, books and dissertations. Our telephonic conversations with the traders, merchants and famers are also important sources of information. It has been suggested in the paper that the establishment of an efficient agricultural marketing system where the growers may obtain remunerative prices for their products is most essential for accelerating development and commercialization of agriculture in the state.