MSc

Nendran is one of the most important commercial varieties of banana grown in Kerala. This variety is grown for both fruit and vegetable purposes. The long and thick fruits with good shelf life make nendran widely acceptable among consumers. Nendran varieties like Nedunendran, Chengalikodan, and Zanzibar are the varieties grown as irrigated crops. In south India nendran varieties are grown mostly in Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Nedunendran and Chengalikodan varieties are the most popular varieties grown in Kerala. The nendran banana which is originated and cultivated in Chengazhikodu village of Thrissur district in Kerala state of India is known as Chengalikodan nendran and has GI certification since 2015 due to its unique features. It differs from other varieties of nendran as the bunch bear 20 to 25 kg golden yellow coloured fruits if properly taken care of. During the growth stage, traditional farmers cover the banana bunches with old banana leaves so that it can get the colour and special shape. It is also offered as Kaazchakula for lord Guruvayoorappan by the devotees. Even though Kerala has a good potential for banana cultivation, due to careless handling of produce, about 25-40 percent are being wasted, 2-3 percent is processed as value added products, and the remaining being used in the raw form (Report of department of agriculture and co-operation 2017-18). This leads to non-realisation of optimum price and wide price variations, both spatial and temporal, which disheartens farmers. In order to sustain production and growth potential, it is essential to produce value added products from banana, so that farmers can get an assured price for their produce throughout the year. Due to inefficiencies at various points in the value chain, the producer gets less than optimal and the consumer pays more than optimal price.
The present study entitled ―Value chain analysis of banana; Nendran variety in Thrissur district‖ was undertaken with the objectives viz., to map the value chain of Nendran variety of banana, to identify and analyse the various chains and actors involved in the value chain, to analyse the costs and margin involved in the value chain and to identify the constraints and possible solutions at different levels in the value chain to enhance the efficiency. Two varieties of nendran namely nedunendran and Chengalikodan were taken
for the study. For the purpose of collection of primary data a sample of 60 farmers (who cultivated at least 200 suckers of Chengalikodan or nedunendran banana) were selected from four blocks of Thrissur district (15 farmers each). From the other actors in the value chain, two SKS of VFPCK, seven wholesalers, 16 retailers and 80 consumers were selected based on the information received from farmers. Primary survey was conducted using a pre- tested structured interview schedule. The collected data were analysed by using percentage analysis, indices, rank order scale, Kruskal Walli test, ANOVA, price spread, marketing cost, marketing efficiency, and marketing margin.
Mapping the value chain of Nendran variety of banana revealed that the core processes include input supply, production, procurement, marketing and consumption. Farmers, wholesalers, retailers, consumers, Krishibhavan, local traders, and SBI were the major actors involved in the value chain of Chengalikodan, whereas farmers, SKS, retailers, consumers, local traders, and SBI were the major actors involved in nedunenthran. It was observed that almost the entire produce of Chengalikodan and nedunendran flowed in the form of raw banana among the actors. The main source of information was Krishibhavan for Chengalikodan farmers and SKS for nedunendran farmers. The rest of actors in the Chengalikodan and nedunendran depended on Shakthan Thampuran Fruits and Vegetables market (Thrissur) for collection of business related information about the product and price. These varieties were sold within the various places of Thrissur district, and there was no export activity undertaken by the value chain actors. It was found that Chengalikodan farmers were earning a high margin of 56.6/kg compared to a margin of 37.3/kg for nedunendran. The study also identified major constraints faced by the actors in the value chain.
The analysis of various chains and actors involved in the value chain highlighted that there was only one marketing channel for Chengalikodan and one for nedunendran in the study area. Farmers, wholesalers, retailers and consumers were the actors involved in the value chain of Chengalikodan whereas farmers, SKS, retailers and consumers for nedunendran. No one took advance amount in sales contract in any manner. The actors other than retailers and consumers had to wait one to two weeks for realisation of price. Consumers of both Chengalikodan and nedunendran expressed moderately favourable
attitude towards taste of banana. ANOVA results showed that there was no difference in the attitude of consumers towards Chengalikodan and nedunenthran. Chengalikodan and nedunendran consumers had a resigned stage in respect to price, taste, nutrient value, freshness, hygiene, availability and shelf life of the nendran banana. Analysis of variance result indicated that the satisfaction level of consumers was similar for both Chengalikodan and nedunendran.
The cost and margins involved in the value chain showed that there was a considerable difference in margin received by Chengalikodan farmers ( 56.6/kg) and nedunendran farmers ( 37.3/kg). Comparing the channel of Chengalikodan and nedunenthran, Chengalikodan farmers were receiving more margins from sales. The wholesalers received a margin of 10.1/kg and SKS 15.1/kg whereas retailers earned a margin of 8.9/kilogram and of 2.1/kilogram for Chengalikodan and nedunendran respectively. In short it was clear that Chengalikodan was more profitable than nedunendran cultivation. Marketing efficiency was higher in Chengalikodan than nedunendran. It might be due to the fact that Chengalikodan was a popular GI product in Kerala and the taste, quality and appearance helped the product to get premium price.
The identified constraints faced by the farmers were the lack of availability of labour, lack of irrigation facilities, effect of climate change, natural calamities, high transportation cost, attack of pest and diseases, delay in cash realisation and attack of animals. Lack of fair price, price fluctuations and lack of knowledge about financial support system were the main constraints cited by the SKS. For wholesalers and retailers, price fluctuations in the market were the major constraint. The other constraints are inadequate storage facility, quality of the product, less shelf life, attack of rats, insects etc, inadequate demand and proper market information. Non availability of required quantity of product throughout the year was pointed out as the major problem faced by consumers.
To conclude, the present study mapped the value chain of nendran variety of banana and analysed the various actors involved in the value chain. The study also examined the cost and margin for each value chain actors and identified the constraints faced by them at
different levels. The study found out one marketing channel each for Chengalikodan and nedunendran in the studied area. Among these marketing channels in the value chain, channel for Chengalikodan provided a good profit margin to all actors. The involvements of intermediaries still exist in the value chain of nendran varieties. It reduced the marketing efficiency of nendran value chain due to the increased cost and shared margin among the intermediaries. The farmers faced the problems such as lack of irrigation facility, lack of quality suckers, lack of quality pesticides, natural calamities, lack of training on new production technology, post harvest technology, and high transportation cost. The important suggestions of the study are to provide quality pesticides and quality suckers to farmers through Krishibhavan and SKS, intervention of Kerala Agricultural University in providing appropriate technical guidance and KVK may conduct trails/ demonstrations on the technical constraints faced by banana growers, and to provide irrigation facility by releasing water through canals for farmers as and when it is needed.