22 Constraints in Marketing of Paddy in West Godavari District of Andhra Pradesh

Agricultural marketing in India faces significant challenges that hinder the effective functioning of the Minimum Support Price (MSP) system and government procurement, particularly for paddy. Issues such as inadequate and poor quality storage facilities, where 10-20% of produce is lost to rests and poor weather, force farmers into distress sales at low prices. Additionally, limits farmer's access to larger markets where better prices could be obtained. Intermediaries like village traders, arhatiyas and brokers take a substantial share of the price, often leaving farmers with just a fraction of the retail price. Furthermore, market malpractices such as unfair charges, manipulation of weights and lack of transparency in market information further exploit farmers, who have limited bargaining power. The absence of proper grading and standardization, combined with unregulated markets, also hampers the efficiency of the agricultural marketing system, making it difficult for farmer to receive fair compensation for their produce and reinforcing their economic vulnerability. In light of these challenges, there is a pressing need to explore the special factors that influence farmer's decisions to sell their paddy at government procurement centres and the challenges they faced, as there is a dearth of studies that systematically examine these determinants. While existing research discusses the inefficiencies of the system and its impact on farmers, it fails to provide on detailed analysis of the localized factors that shape farmer's decisions. Further, the study brings attention to systemic issues such as delays in payment, if any, partial cost burdens for gunny bags and transportation and the presence of faulty weighing practices, if any. These operational inefficiencies are compounded by political interference, corruption, indifferent staff and complex procedural requirements, which further discourage farmers from engaging with government procurement centres. These findings are crucial for administrators and government bodies seeking to create a more transparent and accessible procurement process. In this background the present study has been examine to identify the challenge faced by the sample paddy farmers in selling their paddy at government procurement centres and to investigate the key determinants influencing the paddy farmer's decisions to sell paddy at government procurement centres . The study is based on both primary and secondary date. The present study was conducted in the undivided West Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh.