Factors impeding citrus supply chain in Central Punjab, Pakistan

Abstract

Pakistan is one of the largest citrus producer and leading exporter of Kinnow in world. Average production of this vital fruit comparatively lower than potential and in result, minor contributions comes to national economy and livelihoods of the growers. Present study was designed to analyze factors impeding citrus supply chain in Toba Tek Singh District of the Punjab province. Through multistage sampling technique 120 citrus growers were selected. Data were collected through face to face interview technique with the help of structured, validated, reliable and pre-tested questionnaire. Collected data were analyzed by using Statistical package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Findings unveiled that black marketing of fertilizers, shortage of labor; lack of technical knowledge and shortage of finance were major factors impeding production of citrus crop. Monopoly of middle-man; late payments by the dealers; lack of storage facilities; high storage cost and less price of citrus set by the government were leading barriers of marketing. Study recommended that development of effective marketing system, subsidies on inputs and initiation of direct marketing for small farmers in particular. Study further urges development of affordable machinery for growers to encounter labor shortage problems.