CONSTRAINTS DETERMINATION AND FINANCIAL ANALYSIS OF MANDARIN PRODUCTION IN DARCHULA DISTRICT, NEPAL

Abstract

The study was conducted in Darchula district under the whole command area of PMAMP, citrus zone to find the major mandarin production constraints and evaluate financial feasibility among mandarin farmers. A survey was conducted in five major citrus-producing localities from March to May 2022. From the sampling frame of 120 farmers, an appropriate sample size of 95 was found by using Raosoft software at a 95% confidence interval, and proportionate stratified sampling was done for each locality. Mandarin farming was found to be a financially feasible enterprise with a BC ratio and payback period of 2.2 and 6.7 years, respectively. Mandarin productivity for Darchula district was found to be 4.78 quintals per ropani. The constraints faced by mandarin producers were categorized into three main types: input constraints, production constraints, and marketing constraints, as well as post-harvest constraints. Lack of high-yielding saplings followed by a lack of subsidies was found to be the major technical and socioeconomic constraints, respectively. Poor irrigation facilities, high physical damage to fruits, and a lack of a suitable price for mandarin were found to be major production constraints, post-harvest constraints, and marketing constraints, respectively. Red ants, bugs, and fruit flies were found to be the major insect pests in mandarin production. Citrus greening, fruit drop, gummosis, and sooty mold were found to be the most serious diseases. Thus, based on the findings of this study, related agencies are needed to supply input subsidies as well as train the poor farmers to increase the productivity of mandarin throughout the district.