RÉSUMÉ
Red kernelled rice is gaining importance in recent years due to its higher nutritive content as well as health advantages. It is rich in fibre, iron, Vitamin B1 & B2, zinc and calcium. Because of its importance and a good potential for export the present study was undertaken in Dhemaji district of Assam with the objective to find out the economics of production and scope of marketing of red kernelled rice. From the investigation it was found that red kernelled rice is cultivated in deep water areas of the district and 40% of the total rice area is under red kernelled rice. The production very low with an average production of 21q/ha. The benefit cost ratio was found to be 1.29 and only two marketing channels existed in the district. A company viz. Nature Bio Foods Ltd. (NBFL) was the main company which procured all the production of red kernelled rice from the producers in Dhemaji district which has its Office at Gogamukh. About 10000tons of red rice is being exported outside the district every year to other states and even other countries like USA, UK and European countries. The price spread was found to be high though there are few intermediaries in the marketing channel. From the investigation it can be concluded that there is much scope of increasing the area, production and productivity of red kernelled rice in the district provided processing centers are set up in the district so that the farmers can get a better price for their produce.
RÉSUMÉ
West Karbi Anglong district of Assam State is historically a major lac producing area in the North Eastern India from where lac was used to be exported to China and Japan during 17th and 18th. The farmers in these areas have been cultivating making lac (cultivation)delete since time immemorial. .Among several indigenous communities inhabiting West Karbi Anglong district, Karbis are rearing lac insects (Kerria lacca Kerr), locally called Laha, on naturally growing host plants in forests and on pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan) in a traditional practice. The present investigation attempted to examine the present status of production and marketing of lac in West Karbi Anglong. The primary data was collected from 75 lac farmers to find out the present status of production and marketing of lac. More than 35tons of lac are exported to other states from West Karbi Anglong districts annually. Due to their traditional practice these producers are receiving a low price for their product as low as compared to the market rate. The product is marketed to local intermediaries, local traders and distant traders. Lack of awareness and knowledge on value addition and the prevailing market price, marketing agencies and industries resulted in lower price of the product. Lack of scientific knowledge on production and processing of lac is the major problem encountered by the farmers. Lack of processing unit is another major problem for which the lac producers received a low price for their product.