DOI : 10.26480/aedc.01.2024.25.32

ABSTRACT

Survey research was carried out in Rapti and Khairahani Municipalities of Chitwan District with objective to assess the influence of agricultural cooperatives on off-season Capsicum annum cultivation. Employing Random Sampling, data were gathered from 156 households, with 66 participating in cooperatives and 90 not. Descriptive statistics, economic analysis and inferential study were conducted for data analysis. Brahmin as ethnicity, business as primary occupation of household head, total family member and family member involved in farming were found positively and significantly affecting whereas age, sex and education status were found negatively affecting involvement of farmer in cooperative. Cooperative farmers received more intensive training (77.3%) compared to non-cooperative counterparts. Independent sample t-test revealed lower expenses for cooperative farmers in terms of seeds (Rs. 120,547.20 per hectare) and inorganic fertilizer (Rs. 31,233.26 per hectare) compared to non-cooperative farmers i.e. Rs. 143,913.54 and Rs. 35,072.15 per hectare respectively. Cooperative farmers achieved higher revenue per hectare (Rs. 3,818,328.19) compared to non-cooperative farmers (Rs. 2,998,260.30). The Benefit-Cost Ratio and productivity ton per hectare were significantly higher for cooperatives i.e. 3.13 and 41.74 compared to non-cooperatives i.e. 2.30 and 39.91, signifying greater economic benefit. Insufficient subsidies for tunneling were found major problem as production with the index value 0.82 and fluctuation in market price as marketing challenges with the index value 0.83. The study concluded that agricultural cooperatives play a pivotal role in enhancing off-season capsicum production and marketing, positively impacting the livelihoods of participating farmers.