Apple Value Chain Industry Mapping Value Addition and Marketing Options in Mastung and Kalat Balochistan

Abstract

Present work was conducted to assess the apple value chain, and marketing margin to propose policy recommendations for apple production in Balochistan.  The population of the study consists of the Kalat division; districts Mastung and Kalat were selected randomly for conducting research. A total of 120 respondents were interviewed.  25 growers, 15 wholesalers, 15 retailers, and only 10 commission agents were interviewed separately in each district. The results showed that 24.0% of the apple growers in both districts were illiterate, about 80.0% had experience of 35 to 50 years in apple production, and about 80% of the orchards were established for 20 to 25 years. Producers' profit share for different varieties of apple Tor Kulu 46.66%, Shin Kulu 34.44%, and Kaja 48.55%. Wholesalers profit share for Tor Kulu 10.31%, Shin Kulu 7.94%, and Kaja 10.29%. and the retailers' profit share for Tor Kulu was 7.50%, Shin Kulu 4.94%, and Kaja 6.27%. Further, there were no facilities for cold storage and roads. Probably, the grower’s knowledge regarding apple production and the lack of facilities for wholesalers and retailers are the main obstacles to apple production. The major problems noted during the survey were the improper infrastructure, lack of markets in the study area, illegal smuggling of apples, less availability of natural resources and credit, and the lack of market intelligence and extension services. It is suggested that there should be a good possibility to develop a policy that supports the marketing of apples, especially through agricultural cooperatives, besides further enhancing the exploitation of state subsidies for apple production.