Marketing system for tribal produce in eastern ghats region of India: Status, issues and the way forward

This study addresses various marketing problems faced by tribalswhile selling their agricultural produces in Eastern Ghats region of India. Based on the primary data collected from the sample tribal households/hamlets, the study found higher dependency of tribalson traders and thereby huge trade related exploitations. Both government procurement system and NGO interventions are not effective to protect the interest of farmers. As a result, there is a huge welfare loss to the tribal households. This study suggests some institutional reforms along with measures such as better access to institutional credit which can make the tribal farming more beneficial by reducing trade related exploitations.