PRODUCTION AND MARKETING PRACTICES OF CAULIFLOWER CROP IN CHANGUNARAYAN MUNICIPALITY, BHAKTAPUR DISTRICT, NEPAL

Abstract

A study was conducted to analyse the production and marketing practices of cauliflower crop in Changunarayan municipality of Bhaktapur district, during February to March, 2021AD to assess the existing production practices of main season cauliflower, to delineate its marketing activities and to identify the major problems that had been causing a barrier among the farmers. A total of 60 respondent farmers were purposely selected and interviewed by using a semi- structured questionnaire. The study revealed that 61.67 percent of the respondents were dependent on agro vet for the seed. 48% percent were using Snow Mystique (hybrid) variety. September to October was the main sowing season for cauliflower production. Tube well and river water was the major source of irrigation and manual weeding was carried out by all the respondents. The infestation of disease and pest was the major problem in the survey site. The respondents were found deficient in the skill of cultivation and the knowledge about correct dose, frequency and time of pesticides application. They had been selling their cauliflower produce to middleman and also to consumer directly. The average benefit cost ratio of the cauliflower farming in the observed location was 1.83 at a mean rate of Rs.25-35 consistent with kg cauliflower.