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VALUE CHAIN ANALYSIS OF STRAWBERRY IN NUWAKOT DISTRICT

This study was conducted to estimate the cost of production and net return of strawberry in Nuwakot district of Nepal. A descriptive analysis was conducted with the help of data collected from 100 farmers engaged in strawberry cultivation through a pre-tested and well-structured questionnaire. An economic analysis was conducted to examine the factors affecting the production of strawberries. The results purported that the net return from strawberry cultivation was NRs 159870 and NRs 175180 in Kakani and Okharpauwa, respectively. The difference was mainly due to the distance of the individual villages from the market. Growing strawberries is a profitable enterprise as returns are greater than the cost incurred. The average benefit cost ratio (BCR) of two villages was calculated to be 2.41. The factors affecting productivity and net return were analysed through the value chain, where it was found that though middle men were involved, farmers were still profiting well. A swot analysis was performed, which concluded that the distance between the farm and the market was a major drawback. Overall, climate, farming experience, landholding, education, and market channel all aided strawberry production. Policies should be formulated that benefit farmers. Lastly, a market should be established near the production area to minimize transportation charges and post-harvest losses.