VALUE CHAIN ANALYSIS OF FISH IN KARAIYAMAI RURAL MUNICIPALITY, BARA DISTRICT OF NEPAL

The research entitled “Value chain analysis of fish in Karaiyamai Rural Municipality, Bara district of Nepal” was conducted in 2020 focusing on the chain of actors involved in supplying inputs to the farmers and thereby supplying finished product to the ultimate consumers through various market intermediaries. The survey research design was used for the study where respondents (60 farmers of Karaiyamai Rural Municipality and 15 traders of Jeetpursimara Sub-Metropolitan City) were selected using simple random sampling techniques. Primary data was collected using pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire and secondary data were obtained from various articles and related documents. Descriptive statistics and indexing techniques were used for the analysis of data for which MS-Excel and SPSS-23 were used. Average cost of production was NRs. 996516.92/ha. The average productivity of fish in the study area was highest (7024.42 Kg/ha) than the national average productivity (4920 Kg/ha), and district average (5298 Kg/ha). Various production and marketing problems were faced by respondents as untimely availability of inputs, poor water supply units, and poor storage facilities. Despite these problems, the fish production was a profitable business (B: C ratio: 2.01) with high gross margin value. The marketing channel of input suppliers – producers – wholesalers – retailers – consumers was found effective. There was a low marketing margin and higher producer share on the retail price that indicates an efficient market system. Hereby, the study of value chain actors and construction of value chain map symbolizes; there are good prospects of fisheries business with commercialization and risky but profitable enterprise.