Value chain analysis of ginger in Panchthar District, Nepal

Abstract

The study was conducted to assess the value chain of ginger sub-sector in Hiliyang Rural Municipality, Panchthar District, Nepal. The study was conducted in ward No 6 and 7 of Hiliyang Rural Municipality under the area of block of ginger under Prime Minister Agriculture Modernization Project. The methodological tools such as household survey with 60 ginger producers using interview schedule, key informants interview and rapid market appraisal with ginger producers and focus group discussion among local traders, local collectors, and district level traders were used to collect information. The ginger producers were sampled using random sampling technique and the data were collected in 2018, Feb-June. It was found that majority of the respondents had agriculture as their primary occupation with average land holding area 0.944 ha with average ginger production area 0.088 ha. The average yield of the ginger was 12.40 MT/ha with average cost of production of ginger Rs.17.68/kg. Majority of the respondents had known about the trending price of ginger via local collectors and traders. Fresh ginger was the only product exported from the district as value addition was very nominal. Only cleaning, sorting and packaging activities were performed by the farmers who sold their produce to local traders who in turn supplied to exporter of Birtamode. The trend of ginger cultivation was found to be decreasing. Low as well as fluctuating market price, lack of proper storage and processing facilities were regarded as major problems in ginger marketing. Rhizome rot and Khumle kira was found as the main hindrance in ginger production. This research explored the existing scenario of ginger value chain and its major constraints in the study area.