Economic Value and Supply Chain Analysis of Palmyra (Borassus flabellifer) and its Products

Abstract

The main focus of this study is the cultivation and marketing of palmyra and its value-added products in the Thoothukudi district of southern Tamil Nadu. The supply chain of palmyra products is represented in a block diagram that explains the complete marketing channel through which products move from farm to the ultimate consumer. The accumulative added value per tree gives the benefits of palmyra growing and its value addition. According to the findings, the highest profit was shared by farmer cum processors (31.33%) followed by wholesalers (21.58%) for palm sugar, and for palm, jaggery wholesalers had the maximum profit (28.86%) followed by the marketing cooperatives (28.47%). Base on the accumulated added value the payback period of the palmyra tree is the 12th year and the lifetime added value per tree can reach up to Rs. 36000 during the peak period from 41 to 60 years of its age. Growing palmyra has the feasibility of giving more income and strengthening the marketing channel by reducing the intermediaries can give additional income to the farmers in the consumer price.