VALUE ADDITION AND SUPPLY CHAIN ANALYSIS FOR VEGETABLE IN CHATTOGRAM DISTRICT

The study was carried out in 14 villages under three Upazilas namely Hathazari, Rangunia and Sitakundu in Chattogram District covering 270 sample farmers during March-May 2019 with a view to identify and analyze the existing supply chains and value additions of selected vegetables. Results revealed that about 21 vegetables were cultivated where brinjal got the highest preferences among farmers in Hathazari and Rangunia; while country bean was the highest preferred one in Sitakundu. The two most commonly practiced supply chains were found in all areas as: ‘farmer-local market-consumer ‘and ‘’farmer- bepary - whole seller’’ where the market share was estimated at 87.5% and 68.7%, respectively. About 68.4% farmers mentioned that pre and post-harvest loss was occurred mainly due to insect and disease attack. All most all farmers were done all value addition activities (post harvest activities) in vegetables except for processing. The highest value addition of per kg vegetable was obtained by retailer at Tk. 15.73 irrespective of all vegetables followed by faria/bepari (at Tk. 10.18) and wholesaler (at Tk. 7.72). Lack of proper coordination among the market actors was the main gap of the chains. No permanent selling places, higher market taxes due to multi handover of ownership of the market, lack of farmers group, poor market linkage, and 10% deduction vogue of the total weight (in Sitakundu areas) were the major constrains for marketing. Thus, governmental interferences in the marketing system and supports to farmer groups/organizations can help out to overcome the existing constrains.