Economics of chhari and marketable-size carps in Bara, Nepal

Abstract

A study was conducted to analyze the economics of production of chhari and marketable-size carps in Bara, Nepal. All total 90 farmers; 45 chhari producing and 45 marketable-size carps producing farmers were selected randomly and surveyed through pre-tested semi-structured interview based schedule on the month of March, 2019. Data was entered and analyzed using STATA 12.1 and SPSS 25. Findings of the study revealed that the total cost of fish production per hectare of pond area was 971927 NRs/year. Chhari production was profitable in the study area as compared to marketable-size carps with a Benefit Cost Ratio of 1.97 and 1.67 respectively. Production function analysis including six explanatory variables, showed significant effect of feed, labour (p<0.01), maintenance, fuel and electricity (p<0.05) and lime, fertilizer and medicine costs (p<0.1) but seed cost was insignificant. The return to scale was found to be 0.906 and at II stage of Production. According to estimated allocative efficiency indices, it is suggested to reduce seed; and lime, fertilizer cum medicine cost by 159% and 72% respectively, and increase the maintenance; feed; fuel cum electricity; and labour cost by about 95%, 33%, 95%, and 50% respectively for chhari producers. Similarly for marketable-size carp producers, it is suggested to decrease fuel and electricity cost by 176% and increase maintenance; seed; feed; lime, fertilizer and medicine; and labour cost by 95%, 86%, 13%, 29%, and 30% respectively. Thus, fishery enterprise is in the stage of higher potentiality to increase the production in the study area.

Analysis of Carp Value Chain in Bara District, Nepal

“…A similar result was found (Adewuyi et al, 2010). The finding was aligned with, who reported a BCR of 1.97 for Chhari production and a BCR of 1.67 for Marketable-size carp in Bara district, Nepal (Adhikari et al, 2019). Further, a similar figure was reported in Sharma et.al.…”

Determinants of gross income from carp production in Bara district, Nepal

“…The finding was aligned with Mkong, et al (2018), who reported cost of feed, cost of labor had positive and significant association with profitability of fish farming in Cameroon. A similar finding was found by Adhikari et al (2019), who reported positive and significant association of cost of feed, cost of labor to gross return from Chhari and marketable-size carp in Bara district. The finding was in line with Olagunju et al, (2007).…”

“…The finding was aligned with the finding from Mkong, et al, (2018) where a unit increase in labor cost had led to a 0.49% increase in net profit from marine fishing. A similar finding was found by Adhikari et al, (2019), where he reported 100% increase in the cost of labor increase the income by 13.7% in Chhari and marketable-size carp. The finding was also in line with finding concluded by Singh., (2007), who reported unit increase in the cost of hired labor increase the fish production by 0.916 in West Tripura district of Tripura.…”

“…Carp polyculture is by far the most common and popularly used method of fish rearing in Nepal and has been adopted in the majority of fish farming communities. Seven species of carp are cultured in the same pond such that the efficient utilization of resources could be done (Adhikari et al, 2019). However, difficulty to manage the stocking density of different species of carp had been a severe problem till date.…”

“…Few obstacles like the absence of postharvest centers, cold storage, and processing center have been hindrance in increasing the profitability of farmers (Bhudhathoki & Sapkota, 2018). Additionally, the factor like cost of seed, cost of fingerlings, cost of feed , cost of labor, and cost of electricity and fuels have a significant positive effects on carp production (Adhikari et al, 2019). However, the scenario is contrary due to the inefficient use of resources.…”