H.B. K.C1* and S. Dhimal2
1Chief,National Centre for Potato,Vegetable and Spice Crops Development,Khumaltar,Lalitpur
2Horticulture Development Officer,SCDC,Panchkhal,Kavrepalanchok
*Corresponding email:kchari2002@gmail.com
Abstract
The distinctive agro-ecological zones of Nepal put forward an enormous prospect for growing different types of vegetables.Rapid urbanization has created a high demand for fresh vegetables.Fresh Vegetables have emerged as an important source of income and an effective means of poverty reduction with the increasing consumption volume in the country,market growth in Nepal and adjoining cities of India.Many modern technologies have been adopted by the farmers for commercial production of the vegetables.Despite of greater scope and potentiality there are various value chain issues in this sector.Farmers are lacking enough land,suitable varieties for cultivation in different agro-ecological areas,irrigation facility and suitable technologies of irrigation;liquid fertilizers in protected cultivation and suitable package of practices are lacking.Technical know-how about improved production technology,postharvest handling,marketing and processing is lacking.An economy of scale is always a problem in supply side.Seasonal balance in the production of different commodities has not been maintained inviting price variation.Grading,packaging and labeling with tracking system have not been maintained.Middle man are powerful in the market thus producers and consumers both are affected with low and high price respectively.The suitable technologies delivery by skilled manpower has always been a problem.The coordinated efforts from all stakeholders is necessary to resolve these issues and uplift the fresh vegetable sector of Nepal for income generation and nutrition security of the farmers as well as for import substitution and export promotion.
Keywords:Fresh vegetables,protected cultivation,hybrid varieties,post-harvest,value chain