Marketing Profile of Dry Fish in Digha Coast of West Bengal

Abstract

The present investigation was conducted to throw the light upon the present marketing status of the dry fish industry in Digha belt of West Bengal. The market was surveyed from September 2017 to April 2018. The study area was purposively selected, and the marketing channel, price spread was analyzed. Survey question schedule was made for the collection of data. Several coastal and marine species used for dry fish production like Harpodon nehereus, Trichiurus savala, Prawns & crabs, Sardinella longiceps, Chirocentrus dorab, Polynemusindicus, Rastraligerkanagurta, Pamapama, Leognathus sp., Setipinaphasa, Arius sp, Escualos athoracata and Polynemus paradiseus etc. Different types of marketing intermediaries were involved in the marketing system like the fish processor, Beparis, Aratdars, Wholesalers, Retailers and exporters The survey depicts that the maximum dry fish produce from October to January season. The price of dried marine fish varies with the availability, size and quality of the fish species. The transport system, labour and electricity also play a significant role in end price determination. The marketing system is associated with a good employment generation involve men and women in the coastal belt of the state. The main barrier of the sustainable development of the market is unhygienic handling, lack of infrastructure, poor road condition etc.