ECONOMICS OF PRODUCTION AND VALUE CHAIN OF KIWI IN DOLAKHA DISTRICT OF NEPAL
This research was conducted to analyze the economics of production and value chain of Kiwi in Dolakha district of Nepal. A pre tested questionnaire was administrated to survey 165 randomly selected respondents from two municipalities and four rural municipalities by using simple random sampling for collecting primary data relevant for the study. Focus group discussion, various value chain actors and key informants’ interview was also done during November to December, 2021 A.D. Total cost of production and gross return was found NRs.480128.40. and NRs. 902222.22 per hectare respectively. Similarly gross profit margin was found 60.7 percentages. On an average benefit cost ratio was found 1.84. The study reveals that on an average B:C ratio of Kiwi per hectare was found 1.84. Kiwi production is higher from 6th year onward to 20th year which has an average B/C ration found 2.47. The marketing margin, producer’s (farmer’s) share and marketing efficiency of Kiwi was found NRs 213.67 per kg and 19.67 percent and 0.34 respectively. Similarly, Price spread was found 80.33 percent in the Kiwi value chain. Total cost involved in Kiwi production by the farmers was found as NRs. 53 per kg which is 17.99 percent of total cost of actors in the value chain of Kiwi in the study area. Processing and packaging, actors took the average profit of NRs. 96.67 per kg which was 45.24 percent of total profit for the whole chain. In total 42 percent margin was found. The entire channels of Kiwi value chain the total average cost incurred were NRs. 294.67/kg and which came to 58 percent of total cost. While profit margin NRs/kg was 213.67 which was equals to 42 percent as a whole in value chain process. Major production constraint faced by the farmers was no availability of saplings on time and having huge gap between farm gate and retail price.