Value chain analysis of BARI summer tomato in the south-west region of Bangladesh

Abstract

Summer tomato, a high-value crop with significant market demand faces challenges such as disease susceptibility, inadequate seed, poor market management, and increased product losses. A study was conducted from July to December 2023 in the areas of Jashore, Khulna, and Satkhira to assess the value chain of BARI Summer tomato production and marketing, evaluate value addition at different stages, examine profitability, and assess marketing efficiency. A total of 180 producers and 45 market actors taking 60 producers and 15 actors from each district of Jashore, Satkhira and Khulna was randomly selected following a purposive and multistage random sampling approach by using primary data. Relevant secondary data were also collected from government publications, annual reports, seminar papers, journals, books and websites. The study analyzed it as profitable with a BCR of 2.89 and yields of 35.85 t/ha and Tk. 44.90/kg. Major actors included input suppliers, producers, traders, processors, and consumers. Also identified seven marketing channels, with Channel IV having the highest gross marketing margin at 28.00, and Channel III having the lowest at 18.20. Channel II had the highest net marketing margin at Tk. 10.75/kg, followed by Channel IV and Channel VI. Channel III had the highest marketing efficiency at 2.58, followed by Channel VII, Channel I, and Channel V. Channel VII offered the highest price for tomato producers at Tk. 50.25/kg, enhancing summer tomato production and improving the value chain. Factors such as insect infestation, limited seed supply, high raw material costs, lack of minimum price fixing, intermediaries, capital shortages, standardization, and illegal revenue collection major hindered summer tomato production and marketing.

Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 49(1): 11-27, March 2024