VALUE CHAIN ANALYSIS OF MANGO (MANGIFERA INDICA L.) IN SAPTARI DISTRICT, NEPAL

Abstract

A study in value chain of mango in Saptari district of Nepal was conducted during January 2019 to June 2020 in Surunga municipality, Khadak municipality, Balan Bihul rural municipality, Rajbiraj municipality, Agni Sair rural municipality, Shambhunath municipality and Kanchanrup municipality. The study sites were purposively selected as these sites were command areas of PMAMP PIU, Saptari. Total 61 mango growers and 7 traders were randomly selected for the survey. Household survey, Focus Group Discussions and Key Informants Interviews were primary sources of data from which information was analyzed and concluded. By the virtue of increasing trend of mango production, farmers were able to produce large quantity of mango despite eminent problems of irrigation and diseases and insects. But, due to middlemen monopolized market system and negligible efforts for value addition practices like storage facility, packaging, cleaning and other processing technology, farmers were compelled to receive lower farm gate price yet retail prices of those produces were high. However on small scale, mango growers were involved in production of diversified products like Aamil, chutneys, achaar, amot etc. of which 37.7% of mango growers sold them in the market. Producers share in short distance market was higher (45.12 %) while it was lower (31.02%) in distant market. Likewise, marketing margin in distant market was higher (Rs. 55.18) than in short distance market (Rs. 30.18). Farmer added value worth Rs. 9.76 in both proximity markets and distant markets, wholesalers added Rs. 10.18 in proximity market and Rs. 12.68 in distant market and retailers added Rs. 20 in proximity market and Rs.35 in distant market to existing value of mango suggesting immense disparity in value addition. Having immense scope for value addition, it was required to strengthen marketing system, establish processing industries, and mobilize resources to increase bargaining power of mango growers in Saptari.