Impact of youth focused vegetable production in Eastern region of Nepal

Youth Focused Vegetable Production Program (YFVPP) was started by Vegetable Development Directorate (VDD) for the first time in the FY 013/14 as pilot phase in 25 districts with the aim of increasing opportunities to youths in vegetable sector so that out migration to gulf countries in seek of job can be reduced. After positive response from all stakeholders in pilot phase, the program was extended to all 75 districts as full phase for two consecutive years. The program covered 9893 youth farmers throughout the country. Out of them 23% were female while 77% were male farmers. A survey was conducted in three districts namely Sunsari, Dhankuta and Sankhuwasabha with a sample of 60 youth farmers. Majority of participants (50 percent) were either returned from abroad or in process of going aboard and 96.70 percent were not interested to go abroad for employment after participation in program. The study showed that per ropani income from winter vegetable was high as compared to income from spring and rainy season vegetables. Majority of participants, 95.0%, were continuing their vegetable farming while 5% were found to discontinue their farming business after participating in youth focused vegetable production programme. Selling of products in hat bazaar by farmers themselves was the most commonly preferred system of selling comprising 63.3% of respondents. Other practices were selling to the local traders, selling from collection centers and selling via agents.