Title: Value chain analysis of bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.) seed in Bangladesh

Authors: Soma Mallick; Ganesh P. Shivakoti; Avishek Datta; John K.M. Kuwornu; Johan Van Asbrouck

Addresses: School of Environment, Resources and Development, Asian Institute of Technology, P.O. Box 4, Klong Luang, Pathum Thani 12120, Thailand ' School of Environment, Resources and Development, Asian Institute of Technology, P.O. Box 4, Klong Luang, Pathum Thani 12120, Thailand ' School of Environment, Resources and Development, Asian Institute of Technology, P.O. Box 4, Klong Luang, Pathum Thani 12120, Thailand ' School of Environment, Resources and Development, Asian Institute of Technology, P.O. Box 4, Klong Luang, Pathum Thani 12120, Thailand ' Rhino Research Technology, 5/39-40 Phaholyothin Road, Soi 73, Sanarmbin, Don Muang, Bangkok 10210, Thailand

Abstract: The study was conducted in 2014 to examine the value chain and value adding at different stages of the marketing system of bitter gourd seed in Bangladesh. The research findings revealed that the production of openpollinated bitter gourd seed was profitable and the net return was BDT 42,018/ha (1 USD = 78 BDT) with a benefit-cost ratio of 1.28. The net return was BDT 124,097/ha with a benefit-cost ratio of 1.53 for the hybrid seed of bitter gourd. Different marketing channels were used to sell bitter gourd seed. Of them, value chain-I: seed producer - seed company - seed wholesaler - seed retailer (district level) - seed retailer (sub-district level) - seed user and value chain-III: seed producer - seed company - seed wholesaler - seed retailer (sub-district level) - seed user were found more efficient than other value chains. Consumer paid lower price in value chains-I and III.

Keywords: value chain; value adding; bitter gourd seed; marketing channel; marketing cost; marketing margin; marketing efficiency; marketing performance; gross margin; Bangladesh.

DOI: 10.1504/IJVCM.2017.085484

International Journal of Value Chain Management, 2017 Vol.8 No.2, pp.151 - 170

Received: 12 Jun 2016
Accepted: 03 Sep 2016

Published online: 28 Jul 2017 *

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