Microeconomic Analysis of Tunnel Vegetable Farming in Kirtipur Municipality, Kathmandu

Abstract

The Commercializing subsistence farming is crucial for changing the livelihood offarmers. Vegetables have a great importance in agriculture sector. The contribution ofagriculture to national Gross Domestic Product is remarkable; however, it is declining over the decades. Use of seasonal extension technologies such as plastic tunnels infarming can potentially contribute to farm‟s capability by helping farmers to improve their efficiencies and by extending the market season, one of the major barriers in meeting food demand. Tunnel farming is relatively new technology in Nepal and its benefits are not vibrant. This study is an attempt to find out the benefits of tunnel farming. TheGovernment of Nepal emphasizes agriculture development in for poverty alleviation. This paper aims to analyze the Micro-economic analysis of tunnel vegetable farming inKirtipur Municipality. Simple random sampling method is used for determine sample size.Altogether 106 farm household survey were conducted in two major areas of Kirtipur. Atotal of 5 key informant interviews (KII) were also conducted to understand the perceptionof farm households on tunnel vegetable farming. The result shows that around 97.2% ofthe total sampled farm households have leasehold farmland that has spread to differentsettlements of Ward No. 5&6 at Kirtipur Municipality. The result also shows farmercultivate multiple crop and livestock. Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) and mushroom(Agaricus bisporus) are the primary vegetable products, whereas cauliflower (Brassicaoleracea) and other green leafy vegetables are mostly cultivated as secondary vegetableproducts. Farmers use organic as well as in-organic manual as a fertilizer, the total of 45.3% respondents earn 20000-40000Rs monthly. Out of total sampled farm householdmaximum 74.5% respondents saving from vegetable production. Keywords: tunnel vegetable farming, leasehold farmland, marketing, annual rent,Irrigation.