Article abstract

Journal of Agricultural and Crop Research

Research Article | Published January 2020 | Volume 8, Issue 1 pp. 1-10.

doi: https://doi.org/10.33495/jacr_v8i1.19.139

 

Apple value chain analysis in two mountainous districts in Nepal

 


 

 

Prachanda Khadka

Svein Øivind Solberg*

 

Email Author

 

Faculty of Applied Ecology, Agriculture Sciences and Biotechnology, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, P.O. Box 400, 2418 Elverum, Norway.


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Citation: Khadka P, Solberg SØ (2020). Apple value chain analysis in two mountainous districts in Nepal. J. Agric. Crop Res. 8(1):1-10.

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 Abstract 


Apple (Malus pumila Mill.) is a popular temperate climate fruit but can grow at high altitudes in the subtropics where it can be an opportunity crop for small-scale farmers, amongst others in the Himalayan valleys and hillsides. This research was conducted to examine constraints and prospects of apple farming and marketing from remote parts of Nepal. The material included interviews of 60 farmers and among the selected farmers, apple contributed to about half of the household income and benefit-cost analysis showed a ratio of two, which means the farm business should be profitable, and this accounted for both regions. Labour was the single most important cost factor, contributing to 60-70% of the production costs. The difference between retail price and producer’s price was high in both districts (around 100 Rs/kg), which means a relatively low producer’s share. Pests and diseases were key problems in the production but also access to improved varieties and lack of post-harvest facilities was highlighted as important constrains. Key value-chain actors were mapped and the marketing system included several levels of traders. A simplified system with producer cooperatives was discussed to increase farm-gate prices and reduce consumer prices. Better coordination of actors in research and development was lifted as local engagements in projects.

Keywords  Benefit-cost analysis   gross return   Malus pumila   production costs   value chain 

 

 

Copyright © 2020 Author(s) retain the copyright of this article.

This article is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0

 

 

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