Rapid Market Appraisal Research Articles

Supply Chain Structure of Gedong Mango in Jatigede District, Sumedang Regency, West Java

District Jatigede is the center of production of mango gedong gincu, the bigst in the Regency of Sumedang. Mango gedong gincu is unique because it has a little red color between the color yellow dominant. Although District Jatigede is one center of production of mango gedong in the Regency Sumedang, it is the second bigst production of mango gedong at the province Level after Regency Indramayu based on 2021 data. Even so, it has yet to be widely known by consumers or people. Hence, the chain supply of mango gedong is interesting to study. This case study uses an analysis structure chain supply to see the flow of products, information, and money linked to commodities mango gedong. Actor tracing in this study approaches the rapid market appraisal method. This study shows four supply chain structures; generally, the chain supplies mango gedong in the Regency Sumedang were sold to local collectors to sell to the big collectors in the Regency of Majalengka or Cirebon. That is due to the center city Majalengka and Cirebon's proximity to District Jatigede compared to Sumedang city center. Apart from that, there are packing houses in Majalengka and Cirebon that are also representative.

ANALISIS RANTAI NILAI CABAI RAWIT KABUPATEN LOMBOK TIMUR, PROVINSI NUSA TENGGARA BARAT PASCA PANDEMI COVID-19

Cayenne pepper is a horticultural commodity that affects the inflation rate. This study aims to determine the value chain and value added to chili commodities in East Lombok Regency, West Nusa Tenggara Province, so that potential increases and value distribution in the cayenne pepper marketing chain can be mapped. Primary data was obtained through semi-structured interviews conducted with actors involved in the cayenne pepper supply chain, which were traced using the Rapid Market Appraisal technique. Value chain analysis is performed to calculate added value at each level of supply chain actors. The results of the analysis show that in general there are 4 lines in the supply chain for cayenne pepper before it reaches the final consumer, namely farmers, collectors, wholesalers and retailers. In this chain, farmers gain the largest proportion of added value compared to other actors.

Need of Market-based Skills Training to Create Employment Opportunities for Returnee Migrants in Madhesh Province

A Rapid Market Appraisal (RMA) was conducted with the aim of exploring market prospects or the specific occupational skills in demand in the local markets of Madhesh Province so as to reintegrate the returnee migrant workers into the Nepalese economic system. In order to collect data for RMA, major key informants that are also the key labor market players of Madhesh Province like returnee migrant workers (RMWs), employers of major three occupational sectors (Construction, Agriculture and Tourism), training providers, entrepreneurs, and rural municipal representatives were identified from different seventeen municipalities of seven districts of Madhesh Province. While interacting with 87 returnee migrant workers (RMWs- 64 as FGD and 23 as KII), it was found that around 70% of the 87 respondents did not have any specific skills learned in their respective destination countries, and the general skills acquired by them in such countries were not applicable in the context of Nepal. Based on the collected data from 204 key informants of labor market, 24 different occupations were identified as highly demanding occupations in three occupational sectors, nine were in the construction sector, eight in the agriculture sector, and six in the tourism sector. It was also found that the province, having the largest area of cultivated land in Nepal, is very potential for employing a bigger number of youths and returnees in the agriculture sector. However, it was felt necessary to make the agriculture sector truly attractive in terms of technology, financial access like floating subsidized loans and value addition. Regarding the access to the training and employment service providers (T&Es), there is sufficient access of training but maintaining the quality of training is a challenging issue, for which a mechanism has been suggested.

Determinants of Nepalese hog plum ( Choerospondias axillaris Roxb.) production in Sindhupalchok, Nepal

Nepali hog plum (Choerospondias axillaris Roxb.) is a multipurpose agroforestry fruit tree grown in hilly regions of Nepal for livelihood and income generation in rural households. The research was conducted in 2019 to assess the determinants of the Nepalese hog plum/Lapsi sub-sector in Sindhupalchok district. Three major lapsi-producing areas, namely, Chautara Municipality, Indrawati Rural Municipality and Melamchi Municipality were selected for research with a sample size of 150 producers. In addition, focused group discussions with producers/collectors and rapid market appraisal with traders were used as survey tools. Chi square test and one way ANOVA were used to analyze and compare mean among the geographical area. Indexing and multiple regression model were also used to analyse problems and factors affecting household income. The average variable cost involved in Lapsi production was 4.93 Nepalese Rupees (NRs.) (0.042 United States Dollar (USD)) per kilogram whereas the total cost for producing fresh Lapsi fruits was NRs. 5 (0.042 USD) per kilogram. Benefit-cost ratio was found 2.79 at the farm level. The major problems faced by producers were non-bearing trees followed by lack of improved production technology and low production. Likewise, the major marketing problem identified were low bargaining capacity followed by low selling price and lack of market and collection center. Significant factors affecting the income were gender of household, adoption of value addition practices, attitude towards this business, involvement of household members, literacy, gender-based decision, type of house and experience.

Market development of local peatland commodities to support successful peatland restoration

Peatland degradation and community livelihood are often driven by market forces. Successful peatland restoration including community livelihood improvement programs is therefore highly correlated with market development of various local peatland commodities that are introduced to replace fire-using farming activities. However, since the development of local peatland commodities is often under subsistence marketplaces, investigation of their market is not attractive and has received little attention. This paper investigates the market structure of the local peatland commodities developed by the local community under peatland livelihood programs using Rapid Market Appraisal (RMA) technique and market structure analysis to quickly draw challenges and opportunities of market development of peatland commodities. We also analyze a business model applied by the local community, particularly their strategy to adapt to market dynamics and to secure market competition. The information is essential to serve as a basis for formulating appropriate interventions needed to develop a more established market of local peatland commodities, which as a consequence will prevent peat forest conversion. The investigation finds that at least three types of peatland commodity market structures are evolving in the research site. Each of them has different challenges and needs different interventions to make the livelihood programs more sustainable. Meanwhile, the local community is more oriented towards sales than the marketing of peatland products. They have not prepared a specific strategy yet to adapt to and win the dynamic market competition. It needs significant efforts to change its business culture if relevant stakeholders intend to develop the local peatland commodity market as a part of peatland restoration and community livelihood improvement programs.

Value Chain Analysis of Large Cardamom in Taplejung District of Nepal

This study assessed the value chain analysis of large cardamom (Amomum subulatum Roxb) in Taplejung district, Nepal and explored the functional linkage and upgrading strategies among the key value chain actors. One hundred and sixty farmers were surveyed purposely along with 5 local and district level traders, 5 regional level traders and exporters and 5 enablers who were sampled using rapid market appraisal in March 2018. The study presents a comparative analysis among large holders (n=72) and smallholders (n=88) large cardamom farmers using SPSS and MS-Excel. The majority of farmers used suckers as propagating materials which was a major source of disease conduction. 62.5% of farmers adopted traditional dryers for curing, which reduced the quality of large cardamom whereas about 30% of them used improved dryers for curing that enhanced quality. The majority of farmers had not adopted value addition practices like tail cutting, grading and packaging which were carried out at trader level. Large cardamom prices were normally determined by the export market of India. The average land area of large cardamom per household was 21.56 ropani with 36.74 ropani for the large landholder farmers and 9.14 ropani for the smallholders. The key problems faced by farmers and traders were high price swing, lack of disease-free propagating materials, reliance on the Indian market, aged orchards, shrinking productivity, and minimal collaboration among the chain actors. Therefore, adoption of Good Management Practices (GMPs)- upgraded bhattis, transfer of tail cutting technology and storage management, along with value addition activities like grading (color and size), tail cutting and packaging need to be adopted with strong adherence to export quality. This study revealed that necessary action needs to be taken to maintain a high level of collaboration among the value chain actors thereby increasing the value chain efficiency of Nepalese large cardamom.

Value chain analysis of large cardamom in eastern Himalayan road corridor of Nepal: Trade and governance

Large cardamom (Amomum subulatum Roxb.) is exportable high value sub-sector of Nepal producing to sell in targeted international markets. This research was done to examine value chain analysis of large cardamom from governance and trade aspects, focusing on value chain map, export scenario, and technology upgrading in eastern Himalayan road corridor (EHRC) of Nepal. Farm level information was collected from Taplejung, Jhapa and Morang districts using set of questionnaire (n=300). Focus Group Discussion, Key Informant Interview and Rapid Market Appraisal were done with enablers and traders. About 32% samples household were commercial farmers having one or more than one hectare cardamom cultivation land. About 27% households used improved dryer for curing and drying whereas majority used (72%) traditional dryer. The cost of production of one kg cardamom was estimated NRs. 656, and farmers received NRs. 344 profit margin from one kg of large cardamom sold at farm. Due to global price fluctuation, price of large cardamom has been declined drastically, although farmers are still in profit with B/C ratio of more than 1.4. The findings revealed that value chain development of large cardamom is not well structural at function, actors and enablers level whereas village/district level collectors, regional and national traders with their association and exporters were performing better marketing instead of governance of small scale producers. About 90% large cardamom was exported to India. Nepalese traders have a poor capacity and governance to export product in other counties than India due to high entry barrier to global market. There is a potential of forming global value chain development alliance, focusing to financing and upgrading strategy that would be pivotal for large cardamom intervention strategy in improving value chain function.

Fonio and Bambara Groundnut Value Chains in Mali: Issues, Needs, and Opportunities for Their Sustainable Promotion

As the effects of climate change are severely straining West African agricultural systems, the adoption of more incisive interventions in support of sustainable development agendas for the region is highly critical and cannot be further delayed by governments. Neglected and underutilized species (NUS) are one important ally in pursuing resilience in both production and food systems because of their promising traits in terms of nutrition, adaptation to local agroecosystems, and economic potential for local populations. Focusing on fonio, a gluten-free traditional cereal, and Bambara groundnut, a protein-rich leguminous crop, we investigate issues in their production, commercialization, and consumption in southern Mali. The aim was to assess needs and opportunities for improving their value chains and increasing their use and societal benefits. Using a Rapid Market Appraisal method, we surveyed traders, producers, processors, and consumers of target crops in 2017 and 2018. Our findings indicate that while both crops are consumed and praised by local populations, critical bottlenecks inhibit their wider socioeconomic potential. Lack of access to inputs and equipment and presence of sand in the commercialized product are important issues for fonio, whereas the Bambara groundnut value chain suffers from poor processing facilities and lack of market promotion. Policy recommendations to tackle the identified bottlenecks are proposed.

ORTHODOX TEA: VALUE CHAIN ANALYSIS FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF CERTIFICATION IN ILAM DISTRICT OF NEPAL

This study was conducted in the Ilam district of Nepal to identify the value chain actors of certified orthodox tea and estimating the share value of respective actors along the chain. 160 households (80 certified and 80 non-certified tea growers) from Ilam, Suryodaya, Dewmai Municipalities, and Phakphokthum Rural Municipality were selected by using simple random technique. Primary data were collected from the pre-tested semi-structural interview schedule by using KoBoToolbox, direct observation, focus group discussions, key informant interviews, and rapid market appraisal whereas secondary data were collected from journals, articles, bulletins, and reports from different organizations. This study revealed that the certified tea growers were small farmers with the total tea cultivation area 0.64 ha. The share of orthodox tea on the total annual income of HHs was 31.98%. Certified orthodox tea growers can sell their products to contracted tea processing factories with a guaranteed market. The return from certified green tea leaves was higher (NRs.70.74/kg) as compared to the non-certified green tea leaves (NRs. 41.87/kg). But yields were found relatively low among the certified orthodox growers due to which high price premium obtained for the certified orthodox tea barely compensated for the yield difference. In addition to production, processing and the value addition are the most profitable, but this part of the value chain is done by a limited number of private tea processing factories. The findings of this study indicate restructuring as well as changing modes of production to increase the yield, capturing value-addition in the orthodox tea supply chain, and intervention to support processing facilities and infrastructure, and strengthening of national brand can enhance return to actors.

Structure, Conduct, and Performance (SCP) of Fruit Marketing in Ethiopia

This article has analyzed the structure, conduct and performance (SCP) of fruits marketing in Ethiopia. The specific objectives of the study were to identify the major fruit marketing channels and evaluate the market margins for key fruit marketing channels in the study area. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to select sample fruit farmers. The data were collected by semi structured questionnaires, and rapid market appraisal. Results from the descriptive analysis shows that local collectors and retailers are the most important buyers of fruit from producers. The market actors in the survey period were producers, rural assemblers, retailers, wholesalers and consumers. Fruit production was constrained by lack of market to absorb the production; large number of middlemen in the marketing system, absence (weakness) of marketing institutions safeguarding farmers' interest and rights over their marketable produces (e.g. cooperatives); lack of coordination among producers to increase their bargaining power. The contribution of this study provides additional evidence to the existing body of knowledge in marketing research by researching the significance of SCP in the fruit marketing chain analysis in Ethiopia. Besides, this investigation adds to the literature to better understand why some marketing chain succeeds and others fail, and it underpins the structure, conduct and performance model to be context specific. Keywords : Marketing System, Structure, Conduct and Performance, fruit, Ethiopia DOI: 10.7176/JMCR/68-01 Publication date: May 31 st 2020

Value Chain Analysis of Chaya (Mayan Spinach) in Guatemala

Chaya is a highly nutritious perennial leafy vegetable native to Mesoamerica. This drought-resistant crop has low production and consumption levels in Guatemala, but has the potential to help agriculture and food systems be more nutritious and resilient. This study analyzed the value chain of chaya in Guatemala, and identified bottlenecks and opportunities for its use-enhancement. This research, the first of its kind applied to this crop in Guatemala, combined Rapid Market Appraisal tools. Small-scale chaya production, consumption, and marketing were observed in three focal sites (Guatemala City, Petén, and Dry Corridor). It was observed that producers are not motivated to produce chaya commercially and vendors are unwilling to sell it because of low demand and profitability. One Guatemalan company identified produces nutraceutical chaya products with few sales points in the country and occasionally abroad. Low demand is a primary bottleneck in the value chain due to lack of consumer awareness, changing eating habits, limited recipes, and availability in home-gardens. There is also a reluctance to grow, consume, or sell a crop perceived as a “food of the poor.” Low prices and profitability were other constraints registered. The findings can inform future interventions for enhancing the use of this crop to fight malnutrition.

Value chain analysis of ginger in Panchthar District, Nepal

The study was conducted to assess the value chain of ginger sub-sector in Hiliyang Rural Municipality, Panchthar District, Nepal. The study was conducted in ward No 6 and 7 of Hiliyang Rural Municipality under the area of block of ginger under Prime Minister Agriculture Modernization Project. The methodological tools such as household survey with 60 ginger producers using interview schedule, key informants interview and rapid market appraisal with ginger producers and focus group discussion among local traders, local collectors, and district level traders were used to collect information. The ginger producers were sampled using random sampling technique and the data were collected in 2018, Feb-June. It was found that majority of the respondents had agriculture as their primary occupation with average land holding area 0.944 ha with average ginger production area 0.088 ha. The average yield of the ginger was 12.40 MT/ha with average cost of production of ginger Rs.17.68/kg. Majority of the respondents had known about the trending price of ginger via local collectors and traders. Fresh ginger was the only product exported from the district as value addition was very nominal. Only cleaning, sorting and packaging activities were performed by the farmers who sold their produce to local traders who in turn supplied to exporter of Birtamode. The trend of ginger cultivation was found to be decreasing. Low as well as fluctuating market price, lack of proper storage and processing facilities were regarded as major problems in ginger marketing. Rhizome rot and Khumle kira was found as the main hindrance in ginger production. This research explored the existing scenario of ginger value chain and its major constraints in the study area.

Factors Affecting and Marketing Chain of Ginger in Salyan District, Nepal

Ginger is the potential high value sub-sector in Nepal for small scale farmers’ livelihoods. In this context, this research was conducted in 2016 to analyze value chain of ginger sub-sector in Salyan district of Nepal. Dadagaun and Tharmare VDCs of Salyan were purposively selected for the study. Primary data were collected using semi-structured questionnaire for household survey as well as focus group discussion (FGD), key informant interview (KII) and rapid market appraisal (RMA) survey were used. Household level cross-sectional data from 140 households (70 from Dadagaun and 70 from Tharmare VDC) were sampled using simple random sampling technique. Descriptive statistics, and value chain analysis were used to analyse data. Average land under ginger cultivation was 1.62 ropani which was higher in Dadagaun (2.17 ropani) than Tharmare (1.07 ropani) and found statistically significance different at 1 percent level. The average marginal cost of fresh ginger was NRs. 12.15/kg. Local traders were the major market actor influencing the price of ginger and bargaining power as the major factor whereas farmers were seemed weaker in the value chain due to low bargaining power with lack of market information. Huge marketing margin (NRs. 94/kg) and low producers share (14.55%) showed that there was no strong linkage between the producers and traders. This study revealed that ginger value chain analysis in the study area found very unstructured and poor strengthening of business enabling environment, unorganized functional market chain and poor inputs and service provision. Int. J. Appl. Sci. Biotechnol. Vol 6(2): 127-131

Evaluating the usefulness and ease of use of participatory tools for forestry and livelihoods research in Sarawak, Malaysia

Sarawak, Malaysia, is home to a wide range of native fruit tree species (NFTs) that contribute to the livelihoods of rural women and men. Yet, most agricultural research in the area, and elsewhere, has focused on commercial, non-native species, and the economic potential of lesser-known NFTs has often been overlooked. What is more, little attention has focused on research for development tools that can build on the local ecological knowledge of both men and women while supporting forest-based livelihoods and biodiversity conservation. This study contributes to filling this gap by assessing the usefulness and ease of use of a set of participatory tools – Four Cell Analysis, Venn Diagrams, Participatory Value Chain Mapping and Participatory Rapid Market Appraisal – that enable villagers to engage in a gender-responsive learning process supporting livelihood initiatives around native fruit trees. Activities, which focused on mango (Mangifera spp.) and rambutan (Nephelium spp.), were conducted in two villages in Sarawak. Research was carried out within gender and age specific groups, which then came together to share and discuss their findings. Participants evaluated the tools and approach based on their usefulness to the community and their ease of use. Key findings were that women’s and men’s different yet overlapping knowledge about forest resources was well captured using the four tools. Although each tool generated useful information, the combination of tools was important for painting a fuller picture of ecological, organizational, and marketing aspects related to native fruit trees and the sequence of activities supported local learning processes. Participants found the four tools moderately easy to easy to use, and the process of working within gender and age segregated groups and bringing the groups together promoted freedom of expression within groups as well as inter-group learning.

Reflecting Rapid Market Appraisal: A Practical Tool for Training Needs Analysis

In my understanding, Rapid Market Appraisal (RMA) is a comprehensive study of an employment status in the specific occupational area at the particular local level. At the cross road of my job career, I came to know that the development of this process grew out of a frustration with lengthy, costly and intensive formal market survey. I argue that this process provides a quick, flexible and effective way of collecting, processing, and analyzing information and data about labour markets. It explores information about the vocational-technical training institutions working effectively in the respective field. It also supplies detailed information like occupational opportunities, training needs, individual needs, and future prospective in the work of world at local level. Based on my practical experiences, I claim it as one of the effective tools for assessing the training needs for training design for the under-developing countries.

Value-chain analysis of freshwater apple snail (Pila globosa) used for on-farm feeds in the freshwater prawn farming sector in Bangladesh

Growth of the freshwater prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) sector in Bangladesh since 1970s has been supported by natural availability of freshwater apple snail (Pila globosa), used for on-farm prawn feeds. The present study identified the current configuration of the value-chain benefits and constraints of freshwater apple snail in south-western Bangladesh in August 2011, based upon Rapid Market Appraisal (RMA) approach. The site of snail collection was Chanda Beel in Gopalganj district, while trading, processing and final consumption was represented by Rayer Mahal Bazar in Khulna district. There were seven different nodes recognized throughout the value chain. Snail marketing was identified as a seasonal business and took place during June to November each year. Between 1995 and 2011 the price of whole snail, meat and shell has increased by 800%, 325% and 315%, respectively. The abundance of snail had been reduced and its demand has increased due to the expansion of the prawn farming industry. Prawn farmers preferred snail meat due to its’ low cost (US$ 0.21 kg-1) as a source of protein compared to commercial prawn feed (US$ 0.41 kg-1). Snail harvesting and processing were considered as additional livelihood options for the poor, where 60% of the labour involved in snail harvesting were women, and 95% the de-shelling workforce. Induced breeding in captivity and sustainable management in nature as well as development of commercial production of apple snails might reduce the pressure on ecosystems and positively contributed to the continued expansion of freshwater prawn farming in Bangladesh. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/ijarit.v3i2.17840 Int. J. Agril. Res. Innov. & Tech. 3 (2): 22-30, December, 2013

Marketing value-chain of smallholder sheep and goats in crop-livestock mixed farming system of Alaba, Southern Ethiopia

This study was conducted in Alaba district of Southern Ethiopia to describe smallholder sheep and goats marketing systems, identify marketing constraints and suggest improvement options to enhance incomes of smallholder producers. Informal and formal study tools of focused group discussion, key informant interview, household survey and rapid market appraisal were employed to gather information from development partners, smallholder farmers, traders, transporters and consumers. Smallholder farmers sale sheep and goats to fulfill immediate household cash needs, particularly to acquire food items. Smallholder producers, small and large traders, brokers, transporters and consumers are the major market participant across the market channels. Mode of marketing is mainly on ‘eye-ball’ basis with one-on-one price negotiation. Farmers market animals of different age, sex and weight either at farm gate or local markets, while a range of traders are involved at various stages of markets until the animals reach final consumers. Supply, demand and price of animals have clear seasonal variations. Abuse by brokers, lack of price information, access to incentive markets, poor market infrastructure and seasonality of markets are the major challenges in improving benefit and livelihood of smallholder sheep and goat producers. Commercialization of smallholder systems, standardizing marketing with marketing information and infrastructures, integrated intervention of the market channels along the value chains and market actors, formation of marketing groups and co-operatives could improve marketing efficacy and profitability of smallholder sheep and goat system.