Economics of production and marketing of cucumber under protected structure in Jhapa district
Abstract
An investigation was carried out to document cost and benefits, marketing channel and major problems associated with the production and marketing of cucumber in Jhapa district. Four municipalities of the district namely Buddhashanti, Birtamod, Mechinangar and Damak were selected for the investigation in consultation with the Agriculture Knowledge Centre (AKC), Jhapa. A sample size of 120 farmers was selected from the sampling frame applying the simple random sampling technique to represent the study population. Primary information was collected through field survey, Focus Group Discussions (FGD), and Key Informant Interviews (KII). Moreover, secondary information was collected reviewing the relevant publications. The positive net margin and benefit cost ratio higher than one (1.99) revealed cucumber production under the protected structure in Jhapa is profitable and financially viable. The regression showed that out of seven input resources, seed (p<0.01) and vitamins & micronutrients (p<0.01) were found to have positive and significant effect, while tractor power had significant but negative effect (p<0.01) on total returns from cucumber production. Moreover, it has been revealed that seed, vitamins & micronutrients, and chemical fertilizers were found to be underused while tractor power, human labor, FYM and pesticides were overused. The mostly used marketing channel with the highest volume (73%) of transaction followed producers -collectors-wholesalers-retailers-consumers path. with marketing margin of NPR.41 per kg and producer’s share of 43% in the consumers’ price. Pest infestation and low farm gate price were found to be the major problem associated with the cucumber production and marketing, respectively. The additional cost implied on seed and micronutrient & vitamins would significantly contribute to increase the total returns from cucumber production. The government should intervene in the existing marketing system with the price regulation, control over the porous