Impact of Marketing Information System (MIS) on Prices Realization of Minor Forest Produce (MFP) in High Altitude and Tribal (HAT) Zone of Andhra Pradesh

Abstract

This study mainly focused on impact of MIS on prices realization of selected minor forest produce (MFP) viz., honey (Apis dorsata), hill broom (Thysanolaena maxima), Naramamidi bark (Litsea deccanensis), Seeded Tamarind (Tamarindus indica), Marking nut (Semecarpus anacardium) and Myrobalan (Terminalia chebula).  Propensity Score Matching (PSM) technique was employed to analyse impact of market information on price realization of MFP. Primary data was collected from 360 farmer respondents from HAT zone in Andhra Pradesh state. The Probit regression results indicated that considered variables has positive  significant association and influenced to access market information in the study viz., experience, frequency of visit to Girijan Primary Co-operative Marketing Society (GPCMS), access to mobile phone, education and trainings on the importance of MIS in accessing market information from GPCMS and Primary Procurement Centres (PPCs). Access to market information by the tribal farmers revealed significant impact (P<0.001) on treated, as the impact indicator (prices) is higher for them compared to untreated. The treated were significantly benefited from market information by 15.19 per cent for honey, 37.95 per cent for hill broom and 89.16 per cent for Naramamidi bark, 60.27 per cent for seeded tamarind, 115.45 per cent for Marking nut and 133.34 per cent for myrobalan.