Garrett’s Ranking Analysis of Problems and Constraints in The Cultivation of Cash Crops in Sirmour District of Himachal Pradesh

The study was carried out to examine the production& utilization pattern and problems & constraints faced by farmers and middlemen. A random sample of 60 farmers was chosen for the study. The major findings revealed that high cost of material inputs associated with incidence of pest and diseases were the major problems faced by farmers raising cash crops. Lack of scientific storage facilities followed by inadequate training of farmers for the adoption of better post-harvest management and adverse weather conditions during harvest were the major problems relating to post-harvest management of vegetables. Location of vegetable collection points at distant place and non-remunerative price for the produce coupled with lack of link roads to farmers’ villages and blockade of roads during rainy reason were reported other major problems by farmers in marketing of vegetables. Lack of scientific storage facilities followed by lack of grading standards and no premium price for graded produce, more weight loss of produce during transportation, etc were the major problems faced by the local youth traders of vegetable producing villages. The study suggested that quality material inputs such as seed, fertilizers and pesticides from truthful agencies along with extension services need to be made available to the farmers at reasonable cost.