Vegetable Seed Production In Rukum (Western Part) District, Nepal: An Economic And Value Chain Evaluation

Vegetable seed production in Nepal is rapidly growing due to commercialization, seed shortages, and increased value chain participation; this study comprehensively analyzed the vegetable seed value chain and economic aspects in three municipal areas of Rukum (Western Part) district—Musikot Municipality, Chaurjahari Municipality, and Sani Bheri Rural Municipality—using a purposive sample size of 41, identifying vegetable seed production centers, farmers, seed collectors, cooperatives, seed companies, and vegetable growers as key actors; the cost of seed production per ropani was highest for onion (Rs 16,887.93), followed by radish (Rs 14,187.85) and cauliflower (Rs 12,083.28), with yields of 24.5 kg, 93.69 kg, and 47.3 kg respectively, and the B/C ratio highest in cauliflower (2.02), followed by radish (1.45), and onion (0.71); farm gate prices and B/C ratios showed consistency in radish and cauliflower, but onions faced volatility due to price drops and high disease incidence, making prices insufficient to cover production costs, while producer shares were low for all three seeds (10.9% for radish, 3.38% for onion, and 4.91% for cauliflower) due to high packaging costs and trader margins; the most common marketing channel was producer-collector-wholesaler-retailer-consumer, with SWOT analysis highlighting favorable climate and national recognition as strengths; the study recommended regular field inspections and implementing minimum support prices by government and non-governmental organizations to improve vegetable seed production in Rukum (Western Part) district.