The correct answer is: All of the above.
Limited access to cold storage facilities and efficient transportation networks hinder the development of horticulture in Bihar, leading to:
- Post-harvest losses. Fruits and vegetables are perishable commodities and need to be stored and transported in a cold chain to prevent spoilage. Lack of cold storage facilities and efficient transportation networks means that fruits and vegetables are often harvested prematurely, when they are not yet ripe, in order to reach markets before they spoil. This results in lower quality produce and higher post-harvest losses.
- Difficulty accessing markets. Farmers in Bihar often have difficulty accessing markets for their produce. This is due to a number of factors, including the lack of cold storage facilities and efficient transportation networks, as well as the poor infrastructure in rural areas. As a result, farmers often have to sell their produce at a lower price to middlemen, who then sell it at a higher price in urban markets.
- Lower prices for farmers. The combination of post-harvest losses and difficulty accessing markets means that farmers in Bihar often receive lower prices for their produce than farmers in other parts of the country. This is a major disincentive for farmers to invest in horticulture, and it contributes to the low levels of agricultural productivity in Bihar.
In order to address these challenges, the government of Bihar needs to invest in cold storage facilities, efficient transportation networks, and rural infrastructure. It also needs to provide farmers with more support, such as training and access to credit, so that they can increase their productivity and earn a better income.