Assessment of Value Chain Actors and Market Price of Vegetable Seeds in Karnali Province

Abstract

This study examines the vegetable seed sector in Karnali Province, Nepal, to explore its value chain actors, socio-economic dynamics of farmers, marketing channels, market price and key challenges and opportunities for vegetable seed production and marketing. A mixed-methods approach was employed, integrating both quantitative and qualitative data collected through semi-structured questionnaires administered to farmers, traders, and key informants in Surkhet and Dailekh district. In total, sixty farmers, six agro-vet traders, and six key informants were selected for the study. The findings reveal a seed sector is vital for rural livelihood with significant female participation (68.35%) but constrained by low formal education levels among farmers. Radish is the highest-produced seed by volume, while tomato fetched the highest farm gate price followed by onion and radish. The major value chain actors were seed producers, cooperatives, agrovets, private seed companies and vegetable growers. The study identifies NARC research stations as the primary source of foundation seed, with agro-vets playing a crucial role in input supply for seed production.  Majority of farmers (71.67%) perceive a growing market demand, but the sector faces significant challenges, including price instability, limited technical knowledge, high labor costs. The study concludes that as the vegetable seed sector is a vital livelihood source with growth potential, its sustainability requires targeted interventions to address technical, financial, and market-related constraints to enhance farmer productivity and profitability.