Economic viability and value chain analysis of summer tomato production in some selected areas of Bangladesh

A comprehensive assessment of a product's economic viability, along with a value chain analysis, is essential to identify opportunities for improvement, ascertain actual costs and margins, understand the interrelationships between activities, and enhance production efficiency. This study evaluates the economic viability and value chain of summer tomato cultivation, a sector gaining importance due to rising off-season demand and price premiums. A total of 50 summer tomato growers and 45 traders were selected using multi-stage sampling techniques from the Netrokona and Kishoreganj districts in Bangladesh. The results indicates that the adoption levels of ploughing, planting periods, seedling usage, pesticide application, and hormone use were high, whereas the use of urea, gypsum, MoP, boron, and zinc was low. The total cost of summer tomato cultivation was Tk. 2,75,606 per acre, while the average net return per acre was Tk. 3,43,364. The Benefit-Cost Ratio (BCR) of summer tomato cultivation was found to be 2.25, indicating that producing summer tomatoes is economically viable. Seven marketing channels were identified, with retailers contributing 42.58% of the overall value addition, marking the most significant contribution to the gross marketing margin. The summer tomato value chain in Bangladesh is sustainable due to its capacity to create income, encourage efficient resource utilization, enhance food security, and adapt to climatic changes. By maintaining investments in technology, training, and market systems, this value chain has the potential to flourish and contribute to a more resilient and inclusive agricultural economy.