Abstract:
Potato is one of the most important cash crops in Bangladesh, and the district of Panchagarh
is one of the major potato producing areas in the country. The objective of this study was to
analyze the value chain of potato in some selected areas of Panchagarh district, including the
profitability, value addition, marketing cost, and net marketing margin of different actors in
the chain. To achieve these objectives, a structured questionnaire was used to interview 25
farmers, 65 middlemen, and 5 cold storage owners from February to April 2023. The data
collected were analyzed using profitability analysis, regression analysis, and moving average
method. The findings of this study revealed that the sales price of potato varied significantly
between different actors in the value chain. The highest sales price per 100kg of potato was
received by the retailer at Tk.2225.00, while the lowest sales price was received by the farmer
at Tk.1625.55. The value addition by different actors in the chain varied from 9.25% to
25.70%, with the wholesaler having the highest value addition. The marketing cost of the
value chain actors varied from 4.51% to 45.90%, with the wholesaler incurring the highest
marketing cost. The net marketing margin of different actors in the chain also varied
significantly, ranging from 6.65% to 47.45%, with the retailer having the highest net
marketing margin. In addition, the seasonal price fluctuation analysis showed that the price of
potato was significantly lower during the peak harvesting period, while it was much higher
before the planting period. Moreover, the study found that proper credit facilities should be
ensured for the value chain actors, as this was mentioned by the highest number of
respondents. The study provides valuable insights into the value chain of potato in
Panchagarh district, and highlights the need for policies and interventions to improve the
profitability and efficiency of the value chain.
Description:
A Thesis
Submitted to the Faculty of Agribusiness Management,
Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka,
in Partial fulfillment of the requirementsfor
the degree of
MASTER OF SCIENCE (MS) IN
AGRIBUSINESS AND MARKETING
