Varietal Adoption and Marketing of Lentilin the Mid and Far Western Terairegion of Nepal

Abstract

Lentil (Lens culinaris subsp. culinaris Medikus) locally known as Masuro is the major pulsecrop of Nepal in terms of area, production and export quantity. Nepal Trade Integration Strategy (NTIS) has also identified lentil as one of the major agricultural products among 12 goods having high export potential and medium socioeconomic impacts. This study was conducted with the aim of analysing the varietal adoption and marketing of lentil in the mid and far western terai region particularly in Dang, Banke, Kailali and Kanchanpur districts which are one of the major lentil producing domains of Nepal. Primary data were collected through a household survey, focus group discussions and key informants interview which were conducted in May-June 2013. During household survey, a total of 140 farmers growing lentil at least in 5 kat has of land were randomly selected from the lentil production clusters of the study districts. The study revealed higher adoption (43%) of local variety of lentil followed by Khajura-2 (31%), Khajura-1 (16%) with a very low level of adoption of other improved varieties in the study area. Own saved seed was the major source of seed not only for growing local lentil variety but also for improved lentil varieties. Low level of awareness among farmers on improved varieties, limited seed availability of improved lentil varieties, common practice of using own saved seed by farmers were the major factors behind lower adoption of improved varieties of lentil. Lentil was grown either as a sole crop, mixed crop or a relay crop in the study area. Average lentil production was 772 kg ha -1 when grown as sole crop, 698 kg ha -1 when grown as mixed crop and 488 kg ha -1 as relay crop. Farmer’s usual practice of growing lentil with own saved poor quality seeds and poor crop management practices as well as crop damage due to occurrence of rainfall at lentil flowering with severe disease infestation (Stemphyliu blight and wilt) were the major reasons affecting the lentil production. Inconsistent seed demand, poor market information, infrastructures and quality assurance services were the major constraints on producing and marketing lentil as seed.