Fish Markets of Haryana and Punjab: Assessing Infrastructure and Supply Dynamics: Infrastructure and Supply Dynamics of twofish market

This study assessed the infrastructure, conduct, and performance of fish markets in Haryana and Punjab states. All five major fish markets and eight of the minor markets in both states were studied. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics with the help of MS Excel. The FAO checklist (2013) for fish market assessment was used to ascertain the infrastructure and standards in the fish markets of Haryana and Punjab. Information on fish prices and marketing costs was collected to estimate price spread and efficiency measures. Ludhiana fish market was found to be the largest fish market with a daily fish arrival of 50 tons. Fishes arrive from different sources, both from within the State and from Rajasthan, Gujrat, Delhi, and Andhra Pradesh. The market infrastructure facilities were found to be grossly inadequate and poorly maintained. Punjab had a relatively better infrastructure (Score: 43 %) as compared to Haryana fish markets (Score: 27 %). The study found that Indian major carps were the most preferred and consumed fish group (nearly 50 %) in almost all the markets in Haryana while Pangasius (nearly 65 %) occupied the pride of place on the Punjabis fish palate. Price spread ranged between 31% and 40% indicating better marketing efficiency in commodity flow. Haryana markets handled about 10,410 tons while Punjab markets handled 24,053 tons during 2019. Haryana's market arrivals constituted only 6 % (10,410 tons) of its reported fish production, while in Punjab it consisted of 18% (24,053 tons), indicating considerably lower local demand for fish than its reported supply, notwithstanding the data limitations. The study argues for improving infrastructure in most of the existing fish markets by availing funding from the Fisheries Infrastructure Development Fund and the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana to improve the consumer experience.