Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

VALUE CHAIN MAPPING, PRODUCER SHARE AND MARGINS FOR CORN SNACK PROCESSORS

Shakuntala Devi I., K. Suhasini and N. Vasudev

Abstract

The analysis of maize production and marketing in Mahbubnagar district and its processing into different value added products till it reached the end users is done by collecting the data from producers, traders and processors of maize. The movement of the produce is tracked through major AMC Badepally from farmers to the processors and onwards. Even though there are many value added products for maize the major value added products found were corn sev, corn bolls and corn sticks in this region. The mapping of the value chain from farmer to the snack processor was done and, the marketing margins were calculated for the three value added products. The study shows the movement of maize from farmer- market – tradersnack processor. The mapping of value chain and analysis indicated that processing for corn sticks yielded maximum returns compared to the other two. The study revealed that processors were the gainers in the value chain. This revealed the importance of setting the processing units at the production points of maize leaving a scope to have direct contracts with farmers. Further if training is given to small farmer groups for taking up small scale processing units and encouraging them to establish units in the same village by providing matching grants also helps the farmer in receiving large portion of consumer’s rupee.