Khem Raj Joshi^1*, Sandip Subedi² , Phul Prasad Subedi³ and Rajendra Prasad Adhikari ^4
1,2,4The School of Agriculture and Food Sciences, The University of Queensland, Australia
³Central Queensland University (CQU) Australia
*Corresponding author's email: khem.joshi8@gmail.com

Abstract

This study aims to identify the problems and opportunities for the citrus value chain development in Nepal, along with the possible areas for improvement. Citrus industry in Nepal contributes to 1.41 per cent of agricultural gross domestic production (AGDP), occupies 22.37 per cent of the total fruit production and 3 percent of the fruit export by volume. Mandarin, sweet orange and lime are the major citrus fruit that are produced in commercial scale. Despite attracting high priorities in the government policies and programs, the performance of citrus industry has not geared up to tap the opportunity of commercialization and export to its potentials. This happens at a time when the demand for citrus produce has increased rapidly in Nepal and globally and consumers’ awareness of the health and nutritional benefits of citrus fruit is increasing. Moreover, Nepal and China have agreed to facilitate citrus export to huge Chinese markets. This study identifies and prioritises critical problems as well as opportunities for growth and development of citrus from whole of chain perspective. Inferior planting material (saplings), weak orchard management practices (scale of operation and agronomic), weak collaboration among actors and stakeholders, poor market and post-harvest infrastructure were found to be the main problems of the citrus value chains in Nepal. The surplus supply of citrus associated with the short production window without any post-harvest processing and cold chain maintenance have rendered Nepali citrus to become less profitable. Promoting orchards, regulation of nurseries, implementation of bud wood certification, market orientation of growers, development of post-harvest facilities, increasing functional collaboration among the actors and increasing the capacity of both public and private stakeholders regarding trade compliance are identified as potential areas for improvement from citrus value chains development perspectives. Based on the findings from the review, this paper proposes recommendations for policy, extension and management for the whole of chain development of citrus industry in Nepal.