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Assessing Local and Urban Native Fruit Markets in Sylhet District, Bangladesh

Mohammed Salim Uddin*
Department of Forestry and Environmental Science, School of Agriculture and Mineral Sciences, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet 3114, Bangladesh

Sharif Ahmed Mukul
Department of Forestry and Environmental Science, School of Agriculture and Mineral Sciences, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet 3114, Bangladesh

Muhammad Jaynal Abedin
Department of Forestry and Environmental Science, School of Agriculture and Mineral Sciences, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet 3114, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

An exploratory survey was conducted to assess the urban and local market situation of native or locally available fruit species in Sylhet district of northern Bangladesh. A total of 95 respondents both from urban and local market were interviewed to understand different market situation in the area. Study identified the availability of thirty-four native fruit species among the markets. The study revealed that, selling of local fruits comprises primary occupation for about 76.36% urban fruit sellers and 12.5% for local fruit sellers. Again 74.74% of respondents from both markets engaged full time in fruit selling. It was observed that, the shop condition and marketing channel was varied among different markets. The price, sources and problems regarding local fruits were also found different at different markets. Study concluded that, technical and financial supports and proper policy intervention is obligatory to improve the prevailing market situation.

Keywords: Native fruits; Local market; Urban Market; Seasonal availability; Lean period; Homestead.

Location: Sylhet sadar, Beanibazar, Companigong and Biswanath

Start Date: 00-11-2005

End Date: 00-05-2006

Program Area: Socio-economic and Policy

Non-commodity: Evaluation

Objectives:

Our study was aimed to assess the urban and local market situation of locally available native fruits of the country i.e., their price variation, sources, seasonal availability, major production and marketing problems, marketing channel etc.

Methodology:

Study site description The study was conducted in Sylhet district located in north-eastern part of Bangladesh. The area lies in between 23055/ and 24090/ north latitude and between 90055/ and 91087/ east longitude. It is one of the four districts (i.e. Sylhet, Habiganj, Maulvibazar and Sunamganj) covered by most recently established Sylhet division of the country. The area of the district is 3490.40 sq. km.; comprising 2.43% total landmass of the country. The district is bounded on the north by Khasia-Jainta hills of India, Maulvibazar district on the south, Kachhar and Kaimganj district of India on the east and Sunaganj and Habiganj districts on the west. Administratively, the district consists of 11 thana/upazillas (administrative entity; sub-district) (Islam, 2003). Geographically the area is formed mostly by plain land and wetlands with a numerous number of hillocks, locally called tilla. The soil of the area is generally sandy loam to clay loam. The average annual rainfall is, 4435 mm; one of the highest rates recorded in the country. The relative humidity of the area remains high most of the year and varies between 75-90%. The three main seasons prevailing in the area are, monsoon (MayAugust); winter (September-January) and summer (February- April).

Methodology The study was conducted through a systematic exploratory survey over a period of seven month from November, 2005 to May, 2006. A supplementary study to collect some additional information missing during survey time was also carried out in June 2007. Among eleven thana/upazillas of the Sylhet district, we selected four thana/upazillas, namely; Sylhet sadar, Beanibazar, Companigong and Biswanath randomly. Later we adopted a simple random sampling method to locate the local/urban market as primary sampling unit and local fruit seller as ultimate sampling unit. A total of 12 markets residing both in urban and local areas of the representative thana/ upazillas were selected for the survey. During the survey we interviewed 95 respondents (i.e. local fruit seller) from the selected local/urban markets and there were altogether 55 respondents from urban markets and 40 respondents from local fruit markets. A pre-set questionnaire focusing our study interests was used while interviewing. On each topic of the questionnaire the respondents were free to express his/her views. We also used information’s from our personal observations and from other secondary sources when applicable.

Source of Information: Int. J. For. Usuf. Mngt. 8 (2) : 21-33 (2007) ISSN 0972-3927

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

Although our study was carried out in Sylhet region but some of its results coincided with the findings of some earlier studies conducted different parts of the country. During the study we realized that, selling of local fruits have a significant contribution on the livelihoods and income of the respondents, which has sometimes found as their major livelihood option. However, it was observed that, although the supply and production of some common local fruits were increasing due to higher market demand but for some unpopular species it was found decreasing mainly due to poor consciousness and shrinking of local sources. Government and various nongovernment development organizations should play an immediate role to improve this difficult situation. They should provide technical and other necessary supports to incorporation and cultivation of these local fruit species in the homestead agroforestry system and utilize the wasteland and other vacant places for planting of fast-growing, profitable local fruit species. They should also assist the fruit sellers by providing loan and other technical supports and by improving market facilities.

Knowledge Management: Journal