Production and marketing of mushrooms in Nepal : a case study of Balambu Village Development Committee of Kathmandu District | |
| Author | Pariyar, Sapana |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.AS-08-12 |
| Subject(s) | Mushrooms--Nepal Mushrooms--Marketing--Nepal |
| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Agricultural Systems & Engineering, School of Environment, Resources and Development |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Series Statement | Thesis ; no. AS-08-12 |
| Abstract | Mushroom is emerging as an important commercial crop in Nepal. Due to greater awareness about its nutritional and economic value, the demand for mushroom is on rise and its production is also increasing year after year. This research study analyzes the profitability of mushroom production under different scales of farming, identifies production and marketing constraints, and recommends improvement measures both at operational and policy levels. It focuses on White button and Oyster mushrooms. The findings are based on a case study from Balambu Village Development Committee of Kathmandu district in Nepal. A double stage stratified random sampling technique was used for selection of sample farmers. Both primary data and secondary information were collected through review of secondary information, rapid rural appraisal, household survey, key informant interview and focus group discussion. Both quantitative and qualitative analysis was done. The study indicates that mushroom cultivation is a profitable enterprise with the benefit¬cost ratio of greater than one. It also reflects that the cost of mushroom production reduces significantly with the increase in the scale of farming. With enhancement in the scale of production, the labor usage and gross margin decrease while the net profit and benefit-cost ratio increase per tonne of straw, making larger farms more profitable than the smaller farms. Major production constraints are: poor quality of inputs, unavailability and variations in the price of inputs, inadequate training on production methods, lack of financial support, disease/pest problems, lack of market information, and lack of storage facilities. Major marketing constraints are: price fluctuations, lack of cold storage facility, lack of processing facility, poor government rules, unorganized market, lack of awareness, lack of institutional support, Nepal Bandh, lack of export facility, and lack of market information. The study also shows several gaps and inconsistencies in existing government policies. Specific policy recommendations are: promoting pricing policies, encouraging group marketing through farmers' cooperatives, providing trainings to farmers and traders, disseminating new technology, promoting organized market structure and implementing crop insurance policy. |
| Year | 2008 |
| Corresponding Series Added Entry | Asian Institute of Technology. Thesis ; no. AS-08-12 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD) |
| Department | Department of Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources (Former title: Department of Food Agriculture, and BioResources (DFAB)) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Agricultural and Aquatic Systems(AS) |
| Chairperson(s) | Shivakoti, Ganesh, P. |
| Examination Committee(s) | Salokhe, Vilas M.;Jayasuria, Hemantha P. W. |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Partial AIT Fellowship |
| Degree | Thesis (M.Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2008 |