000			03507nam a22001697a 4500
999			_c157883 _d157883
082			_a630.33 _bASH/VA
100			_aAshly Mathews
245			_aValue chain analysis (VCA) of coconut based food products
260			_aVellanikkara _bDepartment of Agricultural Economics, College of Horticulture _c2017
300			_a100
502			_aMSc
520	3		_aCoconut (Cocos nucifera) is one of the most useful tropical palms, almost all parts of which have various uses in both household and industrial sectors. In spite of the diverse value addition technologies developed by research institutions, the level of adoption was found to be low. A study entitled ‘Value Chain Analysis (VCA) of coconut based food products’ was taken up in order to identify the value chains, price spread, profitability and marketing efficiency of coconut based value added food products using the value chain analysis framework. The study also focused on the constraints faced by various chain players and measures for improving the performance of the chains. The study was conducted in Thrissur district of Kerala, and the four products selected for the study were coconut oil, Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO), desiccated coconut and coconut chips. Focus group discussions were held to identify the key chain players involved in the value chain. Survey method was used for the primary data collection. Expert opinions were also used for arriving at conclusions. The value chain map of each product was prepared including the product and byproduct flows. The main chain players involved were farmer/farmer cooperative, village traders, copra traders, processors, wholesalers, retailers, exporters and consumers. Coconut oil value chain involved almost all chain players. But for coconut chips large buyers like wholesalers were not present. The analysis of marketing cost showed that the costs involved were very less where the unnecessary middlemen were least involved or absent. Price spread analysis has shown that VCO has the lowest producer’s share in consumers’ rupee (24.04 per cent) whereas the producer’s share in consumer’s rupee was the highest in coconut oil (71.04 per cent). The index of Modified Marketing Efficiency (MME) was worked out which showed that coconut chips was the least efficiently marketed value added product (0.23). Low market price increased labour charges, increased cost of production and labour shortage were the major problems faced by the farming community. Product specific constraints faced by manufacturers were also studied. Unavailability of sufficient quality raw nut and copra was a major constraint faced by the manufacturers. Financial constraints, adulteration and price fluctuations were the major constraints faced by the wholesalers. High price of the product was the major constraint faced by the consumers of coconut products. Adulteration was also identified as a major constraint faced by the consumers of coconut oil. Ensuring continuous and large scale supply of raw nuts to the manufacturers is the primary need for the promotion of value addition in coconut. The manufacturers should adopt large scale of production with modern technology and the traders should ensure the quality standards of the products which would in turn enhance the marketing opportunities.
650			_aAgricultural Economics
700			_aLatha Bastine C (Guide)
856			_uhttp://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/5810142664
942			_2ddc _cTH