Constraints in Different Stages of Black Pepper Value Chain

Black pepper (Piper nigrum) known as the “King of Spices” is one of the oldest agricultural commodities of commerce. India is the second largest producer of pepper in the world after Vietnam. The study ‘‘Constraints in Different Stages of Black Pepper Value Chain’’ covers Kodagu, Hassan and Chikmagalur districts of Karnataka. The statistical techniques involved in the analysis of constraints in the value chain are percentage and Garrett’s ranking. All the actors involved in black pepper value chain have been interviewed to collect the constraints. The study is based on both primary and secondary data, primary data was collected from farmers, traders, wholesalers and the retailers. The secondary data was collected from horticulture departments of the study area. Major constraints faced by the farmers are poor availability of labour and fluctuation of prices by the market intermediaries. Price fluctuation and less availability of buyers and sellers are the major constraints faced by the traders. Major constraints faced by the wholesalers are price condition in the market for procurement and poor availability of pepper. Poor availability of pepper and the customers were the main constraints faced by the retailers.