Marketing behavior of vegetable growers in Al-Qassim district Babil province, Iraq
Keywords:
local market, packing, price, selling, smallholder farmersAbstract
Marketing behavior of vegetable farmers play critical role in maximization of their crops profit. Studying marketing behavior for vegetable growers can help to predict the ways those use for supplying their agricultural products in the market . The study was conducted in Al-Qassim district Babylon Province, Iraq; to analysis marketing behavior among vegetable growers. Two hundred of vegetable growers were randomly selected. About three – quarters of the vegetable growers had a medium marketing behavior. Plastic bags and Net /Mesh bags was the most mode used for packing vegetable crops. Majority of the respondents sell their produce in the district vegetable market, to the wholesaler, immediately after harvest, using a rental vehicle, and received full payment (spot payment). Neighbors/ relatives and progressive farmers ranked first among marketing information sources for vegetable growers. Respondents within the least years of experience had higher mean scores on the marketing behavior scale. An effective strategy is needed to enhance the marketing behavior of vegetable growers.