Study on Marketing Problems of Cinnamon Quills in The Matara District

Abstract

Cinnamon is one of the major spices important in export economy' More than 90 percent is exported from the total production. There is a stagnant market -in terms of export quality and value particularly for its value added products. Eventually, the average retail price of cinnamon products has also become stagnani despite of short-term fluctuations' Further, the grower's involvement in producing quality cinnamon products is draiically diminishing. A field survey was conducted covering 50 cinnamonfarmers in three divisional secretariats in Matara district during 20a7 toexamine the marketing problems of the cinnamon farmers in the District. Tlrestudyrevealedthattherewereseveralmarketingproblemsof cinnamon farmers such as shortage of skilled labour' low labour productivity, very high cost of harvesting and processing'.use of inuppropriuie technology' traditional management of processing and gruaing, lack of rnarket information to the growers, lack of knowledge Ibout [uality requirements, inadequate government subsidies, lack of entrepreneuiiut rtitt. of the growers and low profitability. Development of appropriate machinery iraining of peelers, creating awareness of prop; sanitary standards, provision of necessary institutional support, Ltimination of middlemen involvement and supply of subsidised credit facilities are recommended to improve cinnamon industry