An assessment of contract farming system for potato seed production in Punjab - A case study

The study was conducted to assess the contract farming system of potato seed production in Punjab with a sample of 30 contract and 30 non-contract farmers from Jalandhar district of Punjab. The major motivating factors identified for participating in the contract farming were assured price, diversification, access to assured market, extension services etc. There was no participation of marginal and small farmers in contract farming. The average net income of contract farmers was about 12 per cent higher than non-contract farmers. The major constraints in potato seed contract farming were pest and disease attacks, non-availability of labor during peak period, difficulty in meeting quality requirement etc. The study suggests that government, non-governmental organizations and other related agencies should play an active role in the contractual arrangement.