Potentiality and challenges of organic tomato farminga case study of Beshishahar Municipality-10,Banjhakhet Lamjung District, Nepal

Abstract

Organic agriculture is an ecological production management system that promotes and enhances biodiversity, biological cycle and social biological activity. It is used on minimal use of off-farm inputs and enhances ecological harmony. Organic tomatoes are produced using pest management and fertilization methods that do not include synthetic compounds. Nepal is one of the most beautiful countries in the world with lofty snowcapped mountains and scenic, peaceful settings. Nepal having three geographical variations tomato is best suited in Tarai, in low and mid hills; it is becoming increasingly attractive for cash generation in the high hills too. Organic tomato farming is highly followed by Nepalese where Lamjung District consists large numbers of farmers that are following organic tomato farming as cash crops. Lamjung district that falls under the western region lies in Gandaki zone of Nepal. The district has many places like Sundarbazar, Banjhakhet, Chandishan, Borangkhola ,Rainas, Maling etc which are practicing an organic farming culture. The general objective of the study was to explore organic tomato farming potentiality and challenge in Banjhakhet village, Besisahar Municipality of Lamjung district. Whereas, specific objectives of the study were to access the level of awareness among the farmers about organic tomato farming, to explore the potentiality of organic tomato farming and identity the challenges faced by tomato producers in study area. This study has been carried out mostly on the basis of descriptive research design; also exploratory method of research design is used in order to describe the findings during the study. Qualitative and quantitative data have been collected for the study using both primary and secondary sources. Of the total 25 households farmers were selected from those who have adopted organic tomato farming, 25 households were consumers of organic tomato farming and 10 households were from different sectors, all together 60 respondents were selected. To collect data, household survey, key informant interview, observation, method have been used and different computer program, simple statistics tools like table, graphs, have been used for data analysis and descriptive methods has been used for qualitative data. After the research different findings were obtain, after research it was found that among respondents 74 percent were married and 26 percent were found unmarried.30 percent respondents were found following Hinduism and 70 percent respondents were found following Buddhism, 16.67 percent respondents were found illiterate, 56.66 percent were literate and remaining 26.67 percent respondents had education level above SLC. It was found that Gurung community had dominated the study area. It was found that 73.33 percent respondents were from Gurung community, 18.33 percent respondents were from Chhetri, 8.34 percent respondents were from Dalit caste. It was also found that 21.66 percent respondents were below the age of 30, 35 percent were of between age group of 31 to 45, 26.67 percent respondents were between age group of 46 to 60 and 16.67 percent respondents were above the age of 61.. It was also found that 56.67 percent respondents were female and 43.33 percent were male. It was also found that 16 percent respondents’ purpose of tomato production was self-consumption, 60 percent respondents’ motive were commercial production and 24 percent respondents were having both purposes. The people of Beshishahar Municipality-10, were not aware about Organic tomato farming. Tomato farming is new for them. Majority of the farmer still using the traditional way of farming. But the study area has huge potentiality to be one of the finest places for organic farming as the very district has a fertile soil which is key factor for crop production. Different attractions like, facility of irrigation, employment opportunities, cool climate, availability of market and accessibility of labors, high demand of tomato, good price has added more value for organic tomato farming. A major challenge to develop this area as agriculture hub is lack of road transportation, lack of technical knowledge, have no any strategy of insurance, and assistance, problems of diseases and insects and lack of training for farmers that has hindered to product the finest organic tomatoes. I believe that this thesis will contribute in some level for the promotion of the study area as organic tomato farming area, and helps to determine this area as a place having high potentiality of it. This study might be useful for the exposure of Beshishahar Municipality ward no-10, area and hope that this thesis will contribute to increase the number of farmers towards organic farming system in study area.