Socio-Economic Study of Tomato Producing Farmers in Lamahi, Dang

Abstract

A study was conducted in 2017 for socioeconomic study of tomato producing farmers in Dang district of Nepal. Lamahi municipality was purposively selected for the study because of its potentiality on vegetable production. Altogether 60 households comprising 30 from ward no.3 and 30 from ward no. 4 of the area were selected by using simple random technique. Primary data was collected using interview schedule, direct observation, focus group discussion, key informant interview whereas secondary data was collected from various web reviews, publications and reports of different governmental as well as non-governmental agencies. Descriptive and analytical tools were used for the analysis of data. The study showed that the main source of income was agriculture in both wards. The major cost of production was found to be Labor cost. Financial analysis for sampled households revealed that BC ratio was 3.70. Likewise, most significant marketing channel was from i) producer to consumer (88.88% of respondents) followed by ii) from producer to wholesaler to consumer (11.67% of respondents). The findings of the study concluded that tomato production is a financially feasible enterprise and very significant in improving the socioeconomic condition of the farmers.