a) Storage:
– The need for storage to allow a smooth, and as far as possible, uninterrupted flow of product into the market.
– Especially agriculture in Nepal, supply often exceeds demand in the immediate post-harvest period.
– The storage function is one of balancing supply and demand.
b) Transportation:
– It requires consideration of alternative routes and types of transportation, with a view to achieving timeliness, maintaining produce quality and minimizing shipping costs.
– Effective transport management is critical to efficient marketing.
c) Processing:
– Most agricultural produce is not in a form suitable for direct delivery to the consumer, when it is first harvested.
– The form changing activity is one of that adds value to the product which has greater utility to the buyer.
– How the form of produce is to be changed and the method to be used in bringing about such changes are marketing decisions.