CHAPTER IV
RESULTS
This chapter presents the survey findings, including marketing
system, structure, channels and marketing cost and margins of agroforestry
products from the study area.
4.1 Marketing System
Awareness of marketing as a concept or vital and dynamic
element in economic development has greatly increased in the developing
countries during the last three decades. The improvement in the functioning of
commodity markets as well as the improved performance of the marketing system
is now generally recognized as important, strategic elements in agricultural
and economic development. Changes of attitude to marketing have come about
particularly during the last decade, when many developing countries had to
undergo stringent economic reforms. In most developing countries, government
policies and programs directed at agricultural marketing have been based more
on preconceived ideas about the nature of the existing marketing system than on
accurate information and economic analysis.
4.2 Marketing System of Agroforestry Products
Thorough research into the markets available for each type the
product is absolutely essential before committing to any forestry enterprise.
For most forestry products, the buyer must be relatively close to the site.
Otherwise, the transportation costs will eat up potential profits. Although
short-rotation woody crops are a relatively new type of agroforestry without
established markets, it is likely that regional markets will
develop over time where there are customers such as vegetable
producers, fruit growers, and the fiber industry.
Regions where agroforestry is a longstanding tradition are
likely to have markets for all types of forest products (non-wood and wood).
Without such a forestry infrastructure already in place, it is risky to commit
to an agroforestry system. However, because private lands are becoming a more
important source of tree products, new markets will develop in those regions
where agroforestry is established. It is, of course, difficult to predict
where, especially when planning for harvests ten years or more in the future.
Careful consideration must be given not only to the marketing plan, but also to
the harvest plan as well.
Thinning and pruning of trees may generate sales of pods and
forage (non-wood products) if wisely marketed. This part of the planning
process requires the advice of a forest professional, whether a government
agent or a private consultant. Remember that timber buyers are likely to have
their own best interests in the mind, but landowners who want to add value to
their forest products have some choices. One way is to certify that the forest
and its harvest have been managed according to specified ecological
standards.
In some cases, landowners can add value themselves, for
example by cutting and selling fire-wood, access to a portable saw-mill can
enable landowners to saw their own logs into lumber, air dry it, and sell it
directly to specialty woodworkers.
Climatic, biological and socioeconomic factors are all
available in Sindh to develop wood based industries through increasing
agroforestry production. Yet wood business is not carried out on scientific
lines and supply of wood and wood products does not adjust ever increasing
demand for these products. Increasing growth rate in
population has resulted in lower per capita consumption of wood
products which refers as timber, mining timber fire-wood, and other non-wood
products.
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