Hat Adj

Analysis of Marketing in Sabai Grass in the Socio-Economic Development of Tribals in Mayurbhanj District, Orissa (India)

Analysis of Marketing in Sabai Grass in the  Socio-Economic Development of   Tribals in Mayurbhanj District, Orissa (India).

Dr.U.N.Sahu *, Mr. Asit Ranjan Satpathy**

________________________________________________________________

Socio-Economic development involves an increase in the material well being of the society. In a country like India ,about 80 per cent of the population living in rural area and around 70 per cent of the population dependent on agriculture. Mayurbhanj is one of the richest districts in Orissa so far as forest and mineral wealth are concerned. Sabai grass industry plays a predominant role in shaping the economic destiny of the tribal people in the district. In this paper an attempt has been made to analyse the innovative schemes and the role of Sabai grass industry for the economic developments of growers of the district;. Results show that the tribal of Mayurbhanj district generates the Sabai grass product marketing demand in national and international market so as to develop the economic status.

INTRODUCTION

Mayurbhanj is said to be a land of tribals. Out of 62 tribal communities of Orissa, 45 communities are found in Mayurbhanj alone. The per capita income of Orissa as measured by net state domestic agricultural and forest product per head of population, was about 20 percent lower than the all India per capita income in 2008. It remained as much as 43 percent below that of national average in 2007-08.Thus it was intended to make all empirical investigation of rural income in Mayurbhanj district of Orissa and to assess the impact of agricultural  and forest product marketing programmes initiated by the Government  of Orissa over the years.

             It has also the highest percentage of hard working people. In spite of rich natural and human resources it is a poor district more than 48 per cent of the rural area people live below the poverty line. Though majority of population are dependent on primary sector, the agriculture is undeveloped because the district is lacking in irrigation facilities. In agricultural sector there is hardly any marketable surplus production in the district except for Sabai grass.

Sabai grass is practically considered to be “The Money Plant” which ensures cash receipt through out the year. The industry is associated with various activities of raising production of grass and processing of consumer goods such as ropes, mats, carpets, sofa sets, wall hangings and other sophisticated fashionable articles. The Sabai grass industry has tremendous export potential. Artistic designing Sabai products are very popular in foreign countries which earn precious foreign exchange for the country. The industry helps in the growth of entrepreneurship amongst the villagers. This ensures economic development through modernization and innovation of the industrial culture in rural areas.

OBJECTIVE AND METHODOLOGY

The main objective of this paper is to (i) To review the present growth of Sabai grass industry scenario of Orissa in comparison to other states in India ;(ii)To find out the innovative marketing schemes  and analyse the role of Sabai grass industry for the economic developments of the Mayurbhanj district; (iii)To examine the various State Government plans , programmes and their implementation in the  agricultural development of Sabai grass;(iv)To identify various marketing problems faced by the Sabai grass industries and to suggest suitable measures for solving them;(v)To explore the involvement of existing agencies (NGO, Bank and Co-operative Society) for development by the way of education, training and their support in financing for improving the Sabai grass products and processes. Mayurbhanj is a tribal dominated district having 26 blocks. The villages are selected on the basis of agricultural production of Sabai grass. The primary data are collected from the field sources by direct observation and interview to the persons associated with Sabai grass industry such as growers, processors, rope makers, entrepreneurs, traders and other intermediaries. The period of study is mainly confined to the years from 1999 to 2008.

The data analysis is undertaken mostly with the help of marketing dynamics and computer based statistical analysis.

The marketing dynamics includes (1) The planning of organization for marketing of Sabai grass products;(2)Diagnosis of the area sample formation in the Mayurbhanj district;(3)Participative analysis of market chains;(4)Creating and Implementing the concept of Sabai grass enterprise option;(5)Identification of supply, demand and gaps in the local business development services by designing the strategy to strength the market decision and communication as shown in the model for enterprise development in the sample area of Mayurbhanj district.

A Sabai grass product marketing model based information system is a continuing and interacting structure of people, equipment, and procedures to collect, sort, analyze, evaluate and distribute pertinent, timely and accurate information for use by marketing decision makers in improve their marketing planning, implementation and control.

 

Internal Reports System

Marketing Research System

Marketing Intelligence System

Analytical Marketing System

Marketing Information System

Marketing Environment

 

Target Markets

Marketing Channels

Microenvironment forces

 

Marketing Environment

 

 

Analysis

Planning

Implementation

Control

 

Marketing Information

Marketing Information

Marketing Decisions and Communications to Tribals

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Marketing Model Based  Information System

The marketing model is extensively used to determine the Sabai grass product marketing demand in national and international market so as to develop the economic status of the cultivators.

The Computer based statistical analysis is carried out to identify the various economic factors impacting the Sabai grass production by applying the various statistical tools like Regression analysis and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) .

Multiple discriminant analysis (MDA) is an extension of discriminant analysis and a cousin of multiple analysis of variance (MANOVA), sharing many of the same assumptions and tests.

 

ANALYSIS

 

Most of the Sabai Grass plantations are located in the Revenue Sub-division of Baripada and Kaptipada of Mayurbhanj District.. Roughly the total area under Sabai Grass in district at present is about 22758 hectares Sabai Grass was in cultivation long since in the district, however, substantial extension of area was achieved during the 8th, 9th and 10th plan period. Up to the end of 7th plan the total area under Sabai Grass was estimated to be 9218 hects.

Sabai Grass is cultivated mostly by poor marginal and small farmers on their degraded lands. It is also collected by them as well as by the landless poor from the common pool village lands where it grows naturally. The per acre cost of production of Sabai Grass in the initial year works to around Rs.2,200. The cost for the second year is roughly Rs.650 and from the third year to ten year Rs.1000 per year. The produce is finally harvested in the 11th and 12th years. In the 11th year, the cost of harvesting is estimated at Rs.400 and in the 12th year at Rs.250. In the last two years, no maintenance is required and hence no maintenance costs. Thus the total cost of production over a period of 12 year works out Rs.11500 per acre.

The returns are realized from the sale of dry Sabai Grass which has a good market in the Mayurbhanj district. The total yield per acre over a period of 12 years was about 96 quintals (qt). The gross returns from the sale of Sabai Grass were estimated at the 2008 market price of Rs.500 per quintal. The gross returns over a period of 12 years were estimated to be Rs.48, 000 per acre and net return to be Rs.35, 500. The average net return per acre per annum over the 12 year period was Rs.3041. This represents a significant income from (land) resources that is degraded and whose opportunity cost is almost zero.

Sabai Grass of the Mayurbhanj district of Orissa is of good quality and has been accepted widely in the Indian market. Most of the traders prefer the Ropes made out of the Sabai Grass of this region. A large number of people are involved in this cottage industry (harvesting and rope making) or as a trader sending the produce (ropes) to the urban areas, both near and distant.

The total harvesting area of the Mayurbhanj district is 4.47 lakh hector of which 43.70 percent is highland with very poor water retention capacity. The highlands are generally not suitable for harvesting of crops or orchards. But they are suitable for harvesting of Sabai Grass. The agro climatic conditions obtaining in the district are also suitable for Sabai Grass production. According to general estimate the total production of Sabai grass in Mayurbhanj district of the state is about 15000 to 20000 metric ton/per annum of which some 9000 to 12000 metric ton is converted into ropes and the remainder is used for other purposes. At an average/minimum price of Rs.10 per kg of ropes and Rs.5 per kg of grass the total value of the produce works to Rs.16crore per annum which is quite a significant contribution to the economy of the Mayurbhanj district.

 

(a)Marketing Analysis

The marketing of Sabai Grass in Mayurbhanj district is analysed with the following points taken into consideration that, method of Marketing, Types of Market Place, Setting up Sabai grass enterprise, Marketing Agencies, Cooperative Societies, Market Yard Brokers, Price, Fixation of Price, Distress Sale, Problems of Marketing, Transportation, Storage, Supply of Agricultural Inputs Marketing Information and Role of Government in agricultural marketing.

Traditionally farmers have made decisions on what they should grow, what they should keep for home consumption, and what they are able to sell at the marketplace. In former times sales would have cantered on local markets and it would have been rare for a farmer to venture far a field in search of new market opportunities or to consider developing new, higher value to consider developing new, higher value products. This traditional form of agriculture starts to change as communities and nations begin to modernize. Through processes of urbanization, generally fostered by industrialization, demand for Sabai grass product from urban dwellers becomes dependent upon more sophisticated arrangements that require aggregation of farm produce, transportation, storage, wholesaling, processing and retailing. As cities expand, supply systems develop into increasingly longer and more complex market chains with many market channels and specialization of roles in the market chain based on product type, levels of added value and market segmentation.

 

 Farmers must also provide products and services at a price that is competitive with rival suppliers and there is increasing social pressure to ensure that production systems are environmentally sustainable. To achieve desired levels of competitiveness, farmers and their service providers need to build strategies that incorporate the following elements:

 

• A clear market orientation, producing the right product for the right buyer at the right time and price.
• The establishment of production systems that makes efficient use of existing financial human and natural resources.
• The incorporation of necessary post harvest handling and processing techniques.
• Appropriate business and marketing skills and organizational schemes which lead to economies of scale by reducing costs and increasing marketable volumes of produce.
• Improved links among market chain actors and flows of both market based information and new production technologies.

The NTFP collection and marketing both private and collective domain are equally important. If one suppresses the other, it leads to exploitation of marginalized, inefficient management and non-realization of desired goal. In the first case, no importance was given to collective domain. As a result individuals continued to be exploited in one or other form in spite of corrective measures taken by government.

In the second case on Sabai grass cooperatives, collective domains did not ensure private growth through interdependent accountability. It only aimed at solving marketing problems. This was the case of collective suppressing private domain to a great or small extent. As a result individual producers became less accountable to the cooperatives. The Market value of Sabai rope at present is Rs.13.00 to Rs.16.00 per Kg. as per quality. The Sabai grass from the Forest Corporation and Soil Conservation department Depot is available at Rs.1150/qtl., compared to the rate of Rs.1300 to Rs.1700/quintal in the open market. So the regional income is estimated to be Rs.8.12 to 6.5 lakhs per week, depending on the seasons.

Therefore an attempt was made to appreciate the importance of both private and collective domain through mutually interdependent growth sustenance cycle. Here individuals are encouraged to enhance their living standard through skill up gradation. Commons facilitate the individual growth and ensure most competitive market price. This makes private and common dependent on each other without intruding into others domain or suppressing individual’s enterprising ability. However, as system it is of recent origin, one needs to wait and watch how it works in the long run.

The major functions are:

• Attending exhibitions at state, national and international level with rural ethnic products like Sabai grass, Jute products of Mayurbhanj.
• Organising Pallishree Mela and District Level Exhibition.
• Assisting DRDA in implementing SGSY scheme from planning to implementation stage.
• Preparation of model project report based on cluster approach under SGSY scheme.
• Formulation of unit cost under SGSY for individual and group finance.
• Developing two key products covering all aspects of micro enterprise right from market identification, technology transfer, improvement of productivity and quality, organizing skill development training, bank credit linkage and market tie-up.
• Organising training/workshop on related topics design development, product development, micro enterprise development etc for block level functionaries, bankers, NGOs, Integrated Community Development  Scoiety (ICDS) and for Swarojgaris.

(b) Statistical Analysis

The analysis reveals that the 1.0% of the respondents Sabai grass product are purchased by consumers, 3.0% by both consumers and middlemen, 15.0% by Government organization, 31.5% by non-government organization and 47.5% by co-operative enterprises .ORMAS, an apex State Level Marketing Organisation was established with a mandate to provide non-credit inputs like procurement / purchase of raw materials. District Supply and Marketing Society is engaged in market promotion and facilitating marketing of Swarnajayanti Gram Swarojgar Yojna (SGSY) and Self Help Group (SHG) products. There are nearly 8000 SHG that have been formed over the years. Sabai Grass Development Corporation was set up in 1994 to provide improved varieties of Sabai seeds and implements to women engaged in cultivation and trade. The bank caters to the farm credit establishment of the farmers through its 15 branches and 52 affiliated LAMPS.

For marketing of the product of the rural people the organization has established marketing channel with ORUPA (Orissa Rural & Urban Producers Association) and other enterprises. The Mayurbhanj Sabai Processing and Marketing Co-operative Society were established at the behest of the Government of Orissa with the main objective of improving the economic well-being of Sabai grass growers in the district.

Statistical Regression Results 

 An analysis has been made to know the effect and significant contribution of indicators towards income from Sabai grass for economic development in the study area. For multiple regression analysis Independent variables taken are

            In most variables the calculated value of the coefficient (Beta) in the regression equation is either negative or insignificantly different from zero. It shows that with increase in income from Sabai grass, the role of transportation (X4) followed by sale (X1) increases. Therefore the factor transportation (X4) and sale (X1) have more effect on the dependable variable (Y) i.e. income from Sabai grass than other factors. It is found that transportation and sale plays important role to increase income from Sabai grass in the study area. The factors like Market trend (X2), Land holding (X3), Age (X5), Education  (X7) and Occupation (X8) have negative impact on income from Sabai grass. It is also observed that the factor family size (X6) has positive impact on income from Sabai grass.

The correlation between a set of obtained scores and same score obtained from the multiple regression equation is called coefficient of multiple correlation. It is designated by `R’. Thus the correlation between Income from Sabai grass and other eight independent factors is 0.586. It means that scores in income from Sabai grass predicted from a multiple regression equation containing independent factors X1,X2, X3, X4, X5, X6, X7 & X8 correlate 0.59 with scores obtained in dependent factor  Income from Sabai grass(Y).  Here R2 is 0.343; this shows 34% of the total variance of dependent income from Sabai grass is associated with the independent factors.            Tabulated value of t-test for transportation (X4) and sale (X1) are more significant and have significant contribution towards income from Sabai grass.

It is also found that, in most variables the calculated value of the coefficient (Beta) in the regression equation is either negative or insignificantly different from zero. It shows that with increase in total income (Y), the land holding (X3) followed by transportation (X4) increases. Therefore the factor land holding (X3) and transportation (X4) have more effect on the dependable variable (Y) i.e. total income than other factors. Hence it is concluded that land holding and transportation are important factor and have significant contribution to increase total income in the study area. The factors like Market trend (X2), Family size (X6), Education (X7) and Occupation (X8) have negative impact on total income. It is also observed that the factor like Sale (X1) and Age (X5) have positive impact on total income.

The multiple correlations between Total Income and other eight independent factors is 0.562. It means that scores in Total income predicted from a multiple regression equation containing factors X1, X2, X3, X4, X5, X6, X7 & X8 correlate 0.56 with scores obtained in factor Total Income (Y).  Here R2 is 0.316; this shows 32% of the total variance of income from Sabai grass is associated with the independent factors.     Tabulated value of t-test shows that the Land holding (X3) is more significant and has significant contribution towards Total Income in the study area.

Analysis of Variance (ANOVA)

for the factors in case of Income from Sabai grass

Source of variation

Sum of Square

Degree of Freedom

Mean Square

F-statistic (Calculated)

Between Row

4035.4979

209

19.3134

1.1322

Between Row & Column

49851.5556

1680

29.5735

1.7336

Between Column

21329.2392

8

2666.1549

156.2920**

Residual (error)

28522.3164

1672

17.0588

 

Total

53888.0534

1889

28.5273

 

Tabulated value of F-test at 5% level of significance for (8,209) degree of freedom = 1.9384 and tabulated value of F-test at 1% level of significance for (8,209) degree of freedom = 2.5113. In case of the above table only between the indicators (column) is significant. The calculated value is 156.2920. This shows calculated `F’ value is more than tabulated `F’ value both at 5% and 1% level of significance.

Analysis of Variance (ANOVA)

for the factors in case of Total Income

Source of variation

Sum of Square

Degree of Freedom

Mean Square

F-statistic (Calculated)

Between Row

4102.3328

209

19.6284

1.1505

Between Row & Column

49554.0000

1680

29.4964

1.7289

Between Column

21027.8042

8

2628.4755

154.0623

Residual (error)

28526.1958

1672

17.0611

 

Total

53656.3328

1889

28.4046

 

 

Tabulated value of F-test at 5% level of significance for (8,209) degree of freedom = 1.9384 and tabulated value of F-test at 1% level of significance for (8,209) degree of freedom = 2.5113. In case of the above table only between the indicators (column) is significant. The calculated value is 156.2920. This shows calculated `F’ value is more than tabulated `F’ value both at 5% and 1% level of significance. In order to know the effect of different factors, viz. (i) fertilizer consumption per hectre of gross cropped area in kgs of nutrients (ii) actual rainfall (in mm) received during the period of cropping (iii) area under Sabai grass crop in hectre a time series analysis has been carried out with the use of a multiple linear regression model. The analysis considers the relevant secondary data of Mayurbhanj District for a period of 5 years i.e. from 2003-04 to 2007-08 being collected for the season of Kharif and Rabi. The analysis has been made for Kharif (Autumn & Winter) season over a period of 5 years taking variable  Y = Production in quintals, X1= Area in hectare, X2= fertilizer consumption per hectare of gross cropped in Kgs of nutrients, X3 = Annual rainfall in mm. and also the analysis has been made for Rabi taking into consideration the above variables. It should be mentioned here that the data on fertilizer consumption have been collected in the form of total consumption of fertilizer per hectare of gross cropped area for each period of cropping i.e. Kharif and Rabi. The analysis was carried out with the total consumption of fertilizer.

Table -A shows linear form for kharif season. From the analysis ,it is found that R2 = 0.984, Adj R2 = 0.870, D-W statistic = 3.181 and F = 9.939. Further, it is seen that intercept value C0 = 80904.922, regression co-efficient of area C1 (coefficient of the variable X1) = -454.962, co-efficient of fertilizer consumption X2 (i.e. regression co-efficient C2) = 11.246 and co-efficient of rainfall X3 (i.e. regression co-efficient C3) = -11.101 and the corresponding standard errors are 14254.836, 121.907, 3.839 and 3.847 respectively. Also, the corresponding t-statistics are found as (5.676), (-3.732), (2.929) and (-2.886).

Table-B shows linear form for Rabi season, it is found that R2 = 0.895, Adj R2 = 0.581, D-W statistic = 2.464 and F = 2.850. Further, it is found that the intercept value C0 = 5007.695, regression co-efficient of HYV area C1 (i.e. co-efficient of the variable X1) = -57.489, regression co-efficient of local area C2 (i.e. co-efficient of the variable X2) = 0.235 and regression co-efficient of rainfall C3 (i.e. co-efficient of the variable X3) = 1.323 and the corresponding standard errors are (1995.389), (72.387), (1.124) and (0.651) respectively. Further, corresponding t-statistics are (2.510), (-0.794), (0.209) and (2.032) respectively.

 

Tabulated value of F-test at 5% level of significance for (3,5) degree of freedom = 5.4095 and tabulated value of F-test at 1% level of significance for (3,5) degree of freedom = 12.060. Similarly, tabulated value of t-test at 5% level of significance = 2.776 and for 1% level of significance = 4.604, where degree of freedom. = 4.

 

ANALYSIS TABLE-A (LINEAR FORM) FOR KHARIF SEASON

Crop (Sabai grass)

Intercept 'C0'

C1

C2

C3

R2

Adj R2

D-W statistic

F-statistic

Kharif

80904.922

-454.962

11.246

-11.101

0.968

0.870

3.181

9.939

(14254.836)

(121.907)

(3.839)

(3.847)

[5.676]

[-3.732]

[2.929*]

[-2.886]

 

Note : 1)The value given in (  ) is the value of standard error and the value given in [  ] is the value of `t’. statistic.

             2) * represents the significant of the co-efficient at 5% level of significance.

             3) ** represents the significance of the co-efficient at 1% level of significance.

 

ANALYSIS TABLE-B (LINEAR FORM) FOR RABI SEASON

Crop (Sabai grass

Intercept 'C0'

C1

C2

C3

R2

Adj R2

D-W statistic

F-statistic

Rabi

5007.695

-57.489

0.235

1.323

0.895

0.581

2.464

2.850

(1995.389)

(72.387)

(1.124)

(0.651)

[2.510]

[-0.794]

[0.209]

[2.032]

 

Note: 1)The value given in (  ) is the value of standard error and the value given in [  ] is the value of `t’. Statistic.

             2) * represents the significant of the co-efficient at 5% level of significance.

             3) ** represents the significance of the co-efficient at 1% level of significance.

 

From the analysis table-A, it is found that F-statistics is significant both at 5% and 1% level of significance, where tabulated value is more than calculated value and R2 is more than 0.5 for the Sabai grass crop (Kharif season). It indicates strong relationship between dependant and independent variables. Here, the t-statistic for fertilizer is significant only at 5% level of significance and the corresponding regression co-efficient is significant. Also, the corresponding standard error is significant. It is observed that only in case of fertilizer the t-statistic tabulated value is close to calculated value at 5% level of significance which shows fertilizer only provides contribution to the production of Sabai grass. Use of Durbin-Watson, d-statistics show that no auto correlation is present.

 

From the table-B, it is observed that that calculated F > tabulated F both at 5% and 1% level of significance. F is significant and R2 in more than 0.5. It indicates strong relationship between dependant and independent variables; t-statistics for all the variables are showing insignificant both at 5% and 1% level of significance and the corresponding regression co-efficient are also insignificant, which shows no variables provide more contribution to the production of Sabai grass. Here use of Durbin-Watson, d-statistics show that no autocorrelation is present.

 

For Kharif season fertilizer consumption have more contribution towards the production of Sabai grass, For Rabi season it is observed that all the variables have more or less impact on production of Sabai grass in the study area. Computation of Durbin-Watson , d-statistic shows that no autocorrelation is present.

 

Discriminant Analysis.

 

Discriminant analysis is a method of distinguishing between classes of objects. The values of various attributes of an object are measured and a rule (function) is applied that assigns a classification to that object. The discriminant function arrives at coefficients, which set the highest possible ratio.

 

Table C

Standardized Classification Discriminant Function Coefficients

[In case of Income from Sabai grass]

Factors

Income from Sabi Grass

1

2

3

4

5

Sale

1.960

1.994

2.336

2.739

2.724

 

 

 

Market Trend

5.741

5.139

5.033

5.005

5.168

 

 

 

Land Holding

0.357

0.283

0.250

0.183

0.198

 

 

 

Transportation

0.052

0.080

0.150

0.143

0.158

 

 

 

AGE

2.974

3.048

3.121

2.428

2.201

 

 

 

Family Size

9.334

9.794

9.616

10.351

10.273

 

 

 

Education

-0.363

-0.523

-0.478

-0.478

-0.498

 

 

 

Occupation

9.358

9.215

8.208

7.450

7.488

 

 

 

Constant

-55.217

-52.905

-47.792

-43.667

-43.881

 

Discriminant analysis is useful for situations where one need to build a predictive model of group membership based on observed characteristics of each case. The procedure generates a discriminant function (or, for more than two groups, a set of discriminant functions) based on linear combinations of the predictor variables that provide the best discrimination between the groups. The functions are generated from a sample of cases for which group membership is known; the functions can then be applied to new cases with measurements for the predictor variables but unknown group membership. On average, people in family size play more roles for economic development in case of income from Sabai grass. A researcher wants to combine this information in a function to determine how well an individual can discriminate between the two groups.

Table D

Standardized Classification Discriminant Function Coefficients

[In case of Total Income]

Factors

Total Income

1

2

3

4

5

Sale

2.508

2.579

2.715

2.270

2.846

 

 

 

Market Trend

4.884

4.873

5.043

4.468

4.881

 

 

 

Land Holding

-0.029

-0.097

-0.007

0.125

0.097

 

 

 

Transportation

0.096

0.158

0.173

0.142

0.184

 

 

 

AGE

2.245

2.675

2.671

3.413

2.445

 

 

 

Family Size

10.375

11.022

11.054

11.952

10.312

 

 

 

Education

-0.342

-0.414

-0.490

-0.334

-0.455

 

 

 

Occupation

9.545

9.507

8.513

8.145

7.558

 

 

 

Constant

-53.604

-55.584

-50.302

-51.096

-43.702

The procedure generates a discriminant function (or, for more than two groups, a set of discriminant functions) based on linear combinations of the predictor variables that provide the best discrimination between the groups. The functions are generated from a sample of cases for which group membership is known; the functions can then be applied to new cases with measurements for the predictor variables but unknown group membership. On average, people in family size play more roles for economic development in case of total income. The researcher found that population size and economic information are important. Discriminant analysis allows estimating coefficients of the linear discriminant function, which looks like the right-hand side of a multiple linear regression equation.

CONCLUSION

The result summarises that the tribals of Mayurbhanj district confront many problems like, education, income source and expenditure pattern, landed property, Government and NGOs support, marketing, packaging and transportation. The bank caters to the farm credit establishment of the farmers through its 15 branches and 52 affiliated LAMPS. Nearly, 85.7% of the people live in small family and 12.9% still maintains their traditional joint family. . The cultivation of Sabai grass is second main occupation which represents 24.8% and only 1.0% are engaged in Government service. The source of income from Sabai grass is 52.9% from the primary source and 47.1% from the secondary sources .The packaging and grading are the most important aspect of marketing any product. 76.7% of the villagers are  depends on the market, 19.0% depends on local hat, 3.3% on both market and hat and only 1.0% use themselves to grade and pack their finished product of Sabai grass for transporting to different market. Due to changes in professional status it has impact on the income. It is also found that changes in age, family size and education do not change the total income in same direction. The land holding and transportation are important factor and have significant contribution to increase total income and economic development of the district..

About the Author

* Dr.U.N.Sahu, Reader in Commerce,.M.P.C (auto) College, Baripada, Mayurbhanj,757002, Orissa,Ph.No-9437218341
** Mr. Asit Ranjan Satpathy, Seemanta Engineering College,Jharpokharia, Mayurbhanj,757086, Orissa, E-mail-julu_asit@yahoo.com, Ph.No-9861242315

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