ECONOMICS OF EARLY-SEASON CAULIFLOWER PRODUCTION AND MARKETING IN DHADING DISTRICT OF NEPAL

The study was conducted during September-November 2020 to assess the economics of early-season cauliflower production and marketing in Dhading district of Nepal. Dhading district was purposely selected as it is one of the pocket area for cauliflower production. The study collected primary information from 60 farmers and 15 traders by using a semi-structured pre-tested questionnaire. The simple descriptive and statistical tools such as Cobb-Douglas production function and benefit-cost ratio were used to analyze the result. The total cost of production of early-season cauliflower was NRs 13588.81 per ropani while the average yield was 727.94 kg per ropani. Further, the gross margin, and net profit per ropani were calculated NRs 25194.54, and NRs 22855.51 respectively. Likewise, the benefit-cost ratio was estimated to be 2.60 that revealed the early season cauliflower production is highly attractive and profitable. The Cobb-Douglas production function showed that cost on manure had a significant contribution in total gross return. The return to scale value was computed to be 0.59 indicating decreasing return to scale in early-season cauliflower. The major marketing channel was found to be Producer-Collector-Wholesaler-Retailer-Consumer with highest price spread of NRs 35/kg. Major problem in the production and marketing of cauliflower was diseases and pests and inappropriate marketing channels. Therefore the finding suggests, productivity and profitability can be maximized if the existing problems of diseases and pests, and quality of seeds are solved and appropriate marketing prices and channel are ensured.