The study was conducted to find out the production, processing, and marketing-related
problems faced by guava growers in Sawai Madhopur district of Rajasthan. The
Sawai madhopur block of the district was selected purposively because it is the
main guava producing block in the district. In all, 200 guava producers were
considered for the study. In production aspect, high cost of saplings/grafts,
followed by the high infestation of nematode, unavailability of quality
saplings/grafts, unavailability skill labour locally, lack of capital, lack of
suitable option for intercropping, unavailability of organic inputs, nutrient
deficiency in guava orchards, lack of technical know-how of guava production,
an infestation of fruit fly and sucking pests were the major production-related
constraints. Absence of processing plant /units followed by lack of storage facilities,
absence of storage facilities near production areas, lack of awareness about
small scale processing, and absence of agencies to support guava processing
were the major guava processing related problems. In marketing aspects, lack of
competition among contractors, lack of registered buyers/contractors, delay in
payment, absence of regulated markets, absence of identity of Barfkhan Guava,
lower prices due to seasonal gluts, lack of farmer’s organizations were the
major marketing constraints of guava cultivation. The study emphasized the need
to develop the proper marketing and processing facilities before its
cultivation is to be popularized on a large scale in the area. The results of
the study can call for policies aimed at encouraging new entrants especially
the youths who are agile and stronger to grow guava and the experienced ones to
remain in guava farming. The State Government should be included Barfkhan (Gola)
variety under subsidy schemes, the majority of farmers were using this variety
for its marketing quality but due to unregistered variety, farmers are not able
to use subsidy under govt. schemes.