ANALYSIS OF CARP VALUE CHAIN IN BARA DISTRICT, NEPAL

Abstract

Carp is the major fish produced under polyculture in Nepal. A study was conducted to analyze the value chain of carp in the Bara district from January to April 2020. A total of 120 respondents; 60 each from Simraungadh and Pachrauta municipality on an equal basis was sampled by using the cluster sampling technique. 60 respondents include; 45 carp producers, 10 traders (local collector, district collector, local wholesaler, processor, retailer), and 5 consumers from Simraungadh and Pachrauta municipality were sampled randomly. Data were entered and coded in SPSS 25 and analyzed using STATA 12.1. The study revealed a benefit-cost ratio was 1.76. The maximum share was contributed by the cost of feed (70%) to the total variable cost and cost of pond construction (80%) to the total fixed cost. The unit cost of production of carp under polyculture was NRs. 201.5. The key actors involved in the chains were producer, wholesaler, collector, processor, retailer, and consumer. The price spread was higher in the regional market chain i.e. NRs 66.73 as compared to the local market (NRs 40.38). The producer’s share was higher in the local market chain (87.5%) as compared to the producer’s share in the regional market chain (81.73%). The study revealed that the value chain of carp was dominated by the trader. Consumers kept the freshness of the carp under major consideration while purchasing. The major problem faced by the trader was identified as the unavailability of plastic crates. Carp production is a profitable enterprise, yet producers were not realizing potential benefits due to the involvement of middlemen and their dominant role while determining the price. Thus, carp enterprise could be bolstered through government stringent rules and proper policy to determine the price and to customize the efficient marketing channel.