value chain/ market analysis of the lentil sub-sector in ... - Nepal Trade

Support to seed producing groups: There are many groups in study areas formed by
government offices and development agencies for producing seeds. Most of the groups are
not aware of improved practices for seed production. Support is required for producing
qualitative seed and maintaining seed cycles.
Support for production of more foundation seeds: Seed replacement rates are very low.
Total national seed production is far below the required amount. Currently, Nepalese lentil
varieties are mostly native and are cultivated traditionally. Activities should be conducted
with joint collaboration of Nepal Agricultural Research Council (NARC) and private seed
company to produce more foundation and certified seeds.
Package training on production: There should be a complete package of production
training focusing on improving seed rates, spacing, priming/rhizobium culture, seed sowing
time, harvesting time, weed management, post harvest handling, and nutrient application
methods. NEAT can train the lead farmers as local resource persons (LRPs) and the small
farmers can be trained by using these LRPs.
Provision of incentives: There should be provision for incentives through producer groups
and cooperatives. Small incentives could lead to large impacts regarding yield and
production.
Entrepreneurship development and business planning at the farmer level: Farmers
generally show frustration when the price falls in a particular year. Farmers only refer the
price of previous year as a benchmark and expect the same price for the next year. There is a
major need for entrepreneurship skills training including preparing budgets and basic
business management skills.
6.1.2 Processing
Introduce cleaning and grading equipments at cooperative level: With the introduction of
cleaning and grading equipment at the community level, farmers can add value to the lentil
and achieve higher prices from collectors.
Provision of incentives to processor for up gradation and modernization of processing
equipments: Many collectors lack the latest technology of sorting equipment particularly for
grading all types of weeds. Therefore, it is recommended to provide minimum incentives for
installation of modern equipment to the entrepreneurs who are mostly conducting export
business.
6.1.3 Marketing
Support farmers for collective marketing through establishing collection centers and
storage facilities: The study has found that the local traders are collecting lentils from the
famers located near them and storing the product in storage houses to bargain for the best
prices with processors. It is strongly recommended to build collection centres and storage
houses at road heads in lentil production pockets. If we also analyze the price variation in
different seasons, the price of lentil during offseason is almost double to that during their
harvesting season.
Value Chain/ Market Analysis-Lentils 28