Challenges of value chain actors for vegetable production and marketing in North-East Bangladesh

Abstract

Vegetable farming in Northeast Bangladesh has developed rapidly over the last 10 years, with limitations to field management and marketing. A survey was conducted in North-East Bangladesh, specifically Sylhet district to identify the main challenges faced by different value chain actors and their perception of risk management strategies for vegetable production and marketing. One hundred and fifty value chain actors from five different Upazilas of the Sylhet District were interviewed. Perceived major problems in vegetable production were extreme climate events such as flash flood and heavy rain, credit unavailability, and low price of vegetables during harvesting time. Form the trader’s point of view; the major problems were lack of financial assistance, lack of storage facility, low-quality product, and supply shortage. More experienced commercial vegetable farmers of that region faced less challenge. Adoption of new farming techniques, processing of products for better prices, crop diversification, storage facility, and crop planning were the actor’s perceptions to overcome the problem.