ANALYSIS ON TRANSFORMATION OF RURAL MARKET PARTICIPANTS: A SOCIO- ECONOMIC STUDY

Transcription

1 ANALYSIS ON TRANSFORMATION OF RURAL MARKET PARTICIPANTS: A SOCIO- ECONOMIC STUDY P K Singh Department of Geography, National P.G. College, Lucknow Rajendra Kumar Department of Geography, University of Lucknow ABSTRACT The present study is related with the role of rural markets in socio- economic transformation of Unnao district. The work based on the intensive fieldwork carried out in the year For this work, 5 rural markets of the district were selected. Base of the selection of rural market centres on their location local importance as well as their size. This field survey or observation is basis of questionnaire and interview method used to find out socio- economic result of market participants. And the main purpose of this study is to access the current socio- economic status. It is output from the study that rural market and their participants are capable to make effective change in income status, to improve living status and change in cropping pattern. In the social transformation has also effective change in livestock rearing pattern education status, health status and increasing safe drinking water facilities Field of Research: Rural Market, Socio- Economic Transformation, Market Participants, Rural Market Centres, Integrated Rural Development Introduction Rural markets in unique. Among the socio- economic function available in the rural areas, markets play a pivotal role in the process of development both functionally and economically. Sometimes the market acts as a nodal point where growth estimate has started for the development of that area. The market is the collecting and distributing point of the products in an area. (Jana, 1978).Market centres, not only perform the function of service centres, rather they are also the centres of diffusion of information. They play a vital role in the habitat, economy and life of people.(chorley and haggett,1967). Market centres are not only the centre of marketing activity but they are also the nucleus of development. They have economical, social, cultural, importance and they help in increasing social contacts serve as centres of diffusion and becomes focus for political and other activities. Thus development of market centres implies the economic development and their growth always flow the development of agriculture, transportation, industries etc. Which ultimately lead to overall regional development (Powar & lokhande, 2004). In the developing economy, market centres act as media in the social and economic life of the people (Hodder, 1965). Markets are also the place of recreation for the villagers and at the same time they make the social visits to their relatives and friends. So, in many ways market play an important role in socioeconomic and socio-cultural development of the region (dixit, 1980, 1988). Besides the commercial activities some social, cultural as well as political activities are also found in such markets (Amani & khan, 1993). These rural market centres attract the politicians, mainly during election periods. By visiting the market they have come to know the problems of social, economical as well as the Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, MALAYSIA. Organized by 165

2 regional backwardness (Ali, 2009). Thus, rural market centres act as a platform for socio- economic transformation in rural areas. Socio-economic transformation in rural markets are mainly and mostly to development of rural areas. Objectives The aim of this paper is to view the important of the rural markets in the socio- economic life in the rural market participants. The main and specific objectives are as follows: To know about the socio- economic conditions of the rural market participants. To review the effect of rural markets for increase of rural life. To analysis of rural market centres and the role in the transformation of socio- economic condition of their participants. Database and Methodology The present work based on the intensive fieldwork carried out in the year For this work, 5 rural markets of the district were selected. Base of the selection of rural market centres on their location local importance as well as their size. The primary data were collected through the survey of 1000 market participants by direct questionnaire using random sampling method. And different producers, buyers, sellers and other participants were interviewed by asking relevant questions regarding various selected parameters. To access the socio- economic transformation through rural markets various indicators of socio- economic transformation have been taken into consideration. In order to analyze the data, simple percentage method and preparation of graph to explain the socioeconomic transformation has been used. Study Area The Unnao district is a parallelogram in shape and lies between latitude 26 8' N & 27 2' N and Longitude 80 3' E & 81 3' E. It is bounded on the North by District Hardoi, on the East by District Lucknow, on the South by District Rae Bareli and on the West by the Ganga which separates it from districts of Kanpur & Fatehpur. The Geographical area of the district is 4589 Sq. Km. The district is divided into 5 tehshil,(unnao, Hassanganj, Safipur, Bighapur and Purwa and 16 development block. The Ganga and The Sai the main rivers of the district have played an important role in fashioning the topology of the district which may be divided into two main parts - The Lowlands and the Upland. Lowland tracts comprising about 23.7 % of the total area of the district lie along the Ganga in the west and along the Sai in the extreme north and east. The lowland of the Ganga also known as the tarai or khaddar, lies between the main channel of the river, and its old high bank. Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, MALAYSIA. Organized by 166

3 Upland extending from the old high bank of Ganga to the Sai valley, the upland comprises about 76% of the area of the district. The course of the high bank, though irregular, is well defined. On top of the high bank, there is a belt of high soil, with a width of 1.5 km to 7 km. In Unnao district 90% of the rural population depends on rural markets and visit for buying and selling commodities and discuss various socio- economic matters prevails in the society. The district has 1795 revenue village as well as 177(in 2000) rural market centres. Socio-Economic Structure of Market Participants Rural market participants are consisted of consumers, traders by-standers and administrators. These markets are attended by people of different religions and castes. These market participants at the same time also belong to the different social as well as economic classes and strata (Thakur, 1997). The people from depend and backward castes and small and medium size income groups are found in higher proportion owing to the feat that the commodities of low income range and local production are usually exchanged in these rural markets(amami & khan, 1993). The rural market participants avail credit you different socio- economic structure of surrounding areas. Gender, age and caste is the most important components which controls the participation of market participants into rural markets. Table 1: Gender and Age wise distribution of market participants in selected rural market centres in Unnao district U.P. Selected Rural Under 15 Year Year Year Over 55 Year Total Market M F M F M F M F M F AZGAN MAGARWARA DAHICHAUKI SARAUSI MANGAL KHERA Total %.70% 37.6% 9.8% 34% 10% 6.5% 3% 80.5% 19.5% Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, MALAYSIA. Organized by 167

4 Source: Field survey ( Percentage Indicate of the total Respondents in Markets) In this table, gender and age wise analysis of rural market participants. The proportion of the people under in year and more than 55 year are very low because they do not have the potential to go to the markets either for trading or for purchasing purpose owing to bad transportation, facility and in accessibility to the markets. A large proportion of rural population or participants are still in the grips in the poverty and low income. Market participants are hard pressed for money, and with great difficulty are they able to meet their basics needs. In table 2 and Graph 1 show the income wise proportion of the rural market participants. 27.6% respondents is the income of less than 1000per month and maximum percentage of income 69% in the range of per month. In the selected market centres above 5000 per month is 13.4% respondents only. In Bar Diagram1 show the percentage of respondent income. Table 2: Income-wise proportion of the rural market participants in selected rural market centres in Unnao district, U.P. Selected Rural Market Total Respondent Less than Rs. 1000/m. Rs /m. Above Rs. 5000/m. AZGAN MAGARWARA DAHICHAUKI SARAUSI MANGAL KHERA Total 100% 27.6% 69.0% 13.4% Source: Field survey (Percentage Indicate of the total Respondents in Markets) Graph 1: Income-wise proportion of the rural market participants Less than Rs. 1000/m. Rs /m. Above Rs. 5000/m. The educational structure of market participants is very low majority of the participants are below primary education. Their share is more than 65% to the total respondents (table 3) Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, MALAYSIA. Organized by 168

5 % of total Respondent Table 3: Education-wise proportion of the rural market participants in selected rural market centres in Unnao district, U.P. Selected Rural Market Total Respondent Below Primary Education Secondary School Education Senior Secondary Education Graduation Level AZGAN MAGARWARA DAHICHAUKI SARAUSI MANGAL KHERA TOTAL % 68.6% 20.5% 8.7% 2.3% Source: Field survey ( Percentage Indicate of the total Respondents in Markets) Graph 2: Education-wise proportion of the rural market participants Below Primary Secondary School Senior Secondary Graduation Level Education Education Education Socio- Economic Transformation of Rural Market Participants Rural markets are the most important socio-economic institution of or rural markets people. The rural economy of Unnao district is developing economy. Rural markets play important role in socio economic development of market participants these markets attended by peoples of different religions and castes. These market participants at the sometime also belong to the different social as well as economic classes and strata. The villagers with low purchasing capacity avail the consumer goods locally (Thakur, R. N. 1997). The work rural transformation on the basis of socio-economic variables and show the variables which get transformed due to the participants of market participants in rural markets. Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, MALAYSIA. Organized by 169

6 Educational Status Drinking Water Accessibility Health Status Sanitation SOCIAL ASPECT TRANSFORMATION OF MARKET PARTICIPANTS ECONOMIC ASPECTS Income Level Purchasing Power and Saving Housing Condition Electricity Consumption Cropping Pattern Table 4: Changing proportion of socio- economic transformation of selected market respondents in Unnao District U.P. Source: Field survey (Percentage Indicate of the total Respondents in Markets) Selected rural markets Chang e in educat ion status Social Aspects Chan ge in healt h statu s Accessibil ity of drinking water Chang e in sanitat ion Income generati on Increase in saving & purchasin g power Economic Aspects Chang e in housin g conditi on Change in electricity Consump tion Change in cropping pattern AZGAN MAGARWAR A DAHICHAUKI SARAUSI MANGAL KHERA Total Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, MALAYSIA. Organized by 170

7 Social Transformation of Market Participants Changes in Educational Attitude Education is a very good indicator of any society and they play vital role in socio-economic development of rural market participants. In the study areas the attitude of education of 71. respondents has changed education with their regular participation as different rural and urban markets for social as well as economic purposes their attitude towards education has undergone a change and they are making effects to educate their children, they do not want that their children only to be educated but they want to be educated in better schools and institutions so as to get quality education and in near buyers, sellers and traders are belong to any socio economic strata of the view that they want their children to be educated. Changes in Educational Attitude of selected Rural Market Participants Health Consciousness Health status for any society development is very important. They are changed on the basis of increasing the income and saving power of different market participants and then, the participants are more conscious about their health status. In study that 56.4% respondents acknowledged that their health status has changed to some extent due to their regular participation in these rural markets. With visit in study area and meet the different buyers and sellers from various parts of the regions. In rural markets, government with help[ of local people organizes training camps into these markets to aware the rural areas like, AIDS, HAIZA, Family planning and other health hazards. Accessibility of Safe Drinking Water and Sanitation In study area, the drinking water condition is very problematic and that 31.6% respondents acknowledged that their safe drinking water is not good. And sanitation status by market respondents 28.0%. In the study, the lack of safe drinking water supply, inadequate sanitation and poor hygienic condition result not only in more sickness and death but also in higher health costs. The source of drinking water are highly related to health conditions, different government agencies have made a lot of effect to aware and educated the rural people through the village level health centres. In the Bar diagram, show the status of safe drinking water and sanitation status of different market centres. Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, MALAYSIA. Organized by 171

8 % of Total Respoendents Changes in Access to Safe Drinking Water and Sanitation of selected Rural Market Participants % of Total Respoendents Changes in Health status of selected Rural Market Participants Economic Transformation of Market Participants Income Generation Income generation main theme of market and their participants. In rural markets Significance of income generation it makes access possible to other welfare measures such as health, education housing etc. In study, 73.3% of the total respondents acknowledged that their income level has changed due to their regular participation in different rural markets. With their market participation the farmer and seller have come to know about the recent trends and demand of the markets. They become aware markets oriented crops and sown and only those crops which can have high market value as well as quick economic return. In the Bar diagram, show the changes in income generation of different market centres. Changes in Income Generation of Selected Rural Market Participants MANGAL KHERA 18% AZGAN 22% SARAUSI DAHICHAUKI 19% MAGARWARA 21% Increase in Saving and Purchasing Power In rural market, the saving and purchasing power is very effective indicator, to gauge the socioeconomic conditions of the people. In the study area, the saving as well as purchasing power of market participants has increased to some extent because the increases in their income level, out of total respondents 68.8% has admitted that due the increase in their saving and purchasing power. Their foods habits and its quality have also improved, which are assign of take of stage with the repeated exposure to outside world, how they are purchasing radio, television, and other entertainments products for their entertainment. In the Bar diagram, show the Increase in saving and Purchasing Power status of different market centres. Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, MALAYSIA. Organized by 172

9 Increase in Saving and Purchasing Power of Selected Rural Market Participants AZGAN MANGAL KHERA 21% SARAUSI DAHICHAUKI 17% MAGARWARA 22% Changes in Housing Conditions In the basic needs of human, house is the third needs of people and a play vital role in human life. Housing facilities is one of the important aspects of civilized life. The Housing conditions are indicator of socio- economic status of rural participants. Also with the increase in the level of income, the Housing condition of the people has changed out of total 56.80% respondents acknowledged that their Housing condition has changed because of the increase in their income level. Earlier, the majority of the farmers and sellers were lived kuchcha houses and huts. (kuchcha, semi kuchcha, pucca). There is due to the socio-economic transformation of rural area and their participants. In the Bar diagram, show the changes in housing condition of different market centres. Changes in Housing Conditions of Selected Rural Market Participants AZGAN MAGARWARA DAHICHAUKI SARAUSI MANGAL KHERA 23% 18% 17% 22% Increase in Electricity Consumption In the study area, the level of electricity consumption is an irreparable indicator of economic transformation. 54.8% respondent admitted that the level of their electricity consumption as well as the knowledge regarding the same has increased to some extent. The important of the electricity as well as the different ways through the can make use of it for their economic welfare. Now, the electricity becomes a symbol of social and economic status of the market participants. In the Bar diagram, show the Increase in electricity consumption of different market centres. Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, MALAYSIA. Organized by 173

10 Increase in Electricity Consumption of Selected Rural Market Participants MANGAL KHERA AZGAN 16% SARAUSI 21% MAGARWARA 23% DAHICHAUKI Changes in Copping Pattern Cropping pattern changes is a very important phenomenon of market participants and this is the very effective indicator to check to level of economic development in any region. The study focus that the cropping pattern of 70.2% respondent has change to great extent due to these rural markets. In market centres the regular participants and social gathering and they have come to know the recent change into the agriculture technology, high yielding varieties of seeds, fertilizers, pesticides and price of goods. In the Bar diagram, show the changes in copping pattern of different market centres. Changes in Cropping Pattern of Selected Rural Market Participants AZGAN MAGARWARA DAHICHAUKI SARAUSI MANGAL KHERA 21% 23% 19% 17% Conclusions Rural society is unique and their village is the most common form of settlement. People are concentrated in a specific area, comprising houses, land, farms, markets etc. In this study these markets are the most important socio- economic institution in the rural developing economy. Rural market centres act as a platform for socio economic transformation of rural areas in the Unnao district. Besides their important role in rural transformation. These markets are lacking behind in economic as well as transformation facilities. The major problems faced by the markets participants are the insufficient space to accommodate the huge gathering of the people. Exploitation of small producers, storage facilities drinking water other major problems faced by the participants are the unavailability of telephone, people foods and resting place, adequate security is also a very big problems for the traders and sellers. Thus, for delivering a product to the end consumer an effective distribution channel is needed while considering a strategy for the rural development in the Unnao district. The present study may be helpful in the development of rural markets and designing and projecting plans for integrated rural development in other areas of the country. Rural markets are Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, MALAYSIA. Organized by 174

11 difficult but not impossible to cope up with. With the right mix of product, price distribution and promotion strategic can get success in these areas. References Dixit R.S. (1988): Spatial organisation of market centres, Hamirpur district, Pointer Publication, Jaipur Wanmali S. (1975): Rural Service Centres in India: Present Identification and Acceptance of Extension area, vol. 7 Ullman E.L. (1960): Trade centres and tributary areas of the Philippines. Saxena, H.M. (1974): Kota: A study in market morphology, Geographical review of India, vol.3 Rajagopal (1988): Rural marketing: development, policy, planning and practice, Rawat Publication. Saxena, H.M. (1984): Geography of marketing, New Delhi, Sterling Publication. Wanmali S. ( ): Periodic markets and rural development in media, New Delhi, Concept Publishing Company. Verma R.V. (19870): Role of periodic market in integrated development- A case study of Safipur Tehshil of Unnao district U.P. Sinha R.N.P. (1992): Geography & rural development, Concept Publishing Company, New Delhi Chauhan P.R. (2010): Earth surface review, journal vol. 01. Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, MALAYSIA. Organized by 175