The Canadian small-scale seed production industry is one focused on environmental sustainability and often depends on family farms to produce and save their seeds (Salt Spring Seeds, 2016; The Cottage Gardner, 2016). No machinery is required for the growing of the purple podded bean seed varieties as they are harvested by hand. Some vertical structures such as sticks, fences or poles can be used to support the pole bean varieties, but other inputs (such as synthetic fertilizers) are not required as most of the family-run producers grow organically (The Cottage Gardner, 2016). The Incredible Seed Company sells its Royalty Purple Podded bean seeds in packets of 50 seeds for 2.75$ CDN or approximately 225 Nepalese Rupees.
While most small-scale seed producers do have international shipping options, many of these companies do not ship in bulk. With fixed international rates ranging between 15$CDN for 1 packet to 30$ for a few packets, it is more cost effective to transport the seeds through a third party shipping company if seeking to buy more than a few packets (Jason, 2016; The Incredible Seed Company, 2016). Using the company A1frieghtforwarding an air transport method, the costs are greater but are fixed for large brackets. For instance, if 2 bean seeds equate to approximately 1g then for 1 kg one can get 2000 seeds or 40 seed packets. For instance, costs are fixed with this method of transport when shipping from Halifax, Canada to Kathmandu, Nepal within the bracket of 1-9kg at 304.62$CDN. If assuming the exportation of the most seeds for this range, one can ship 360 packets (40 packets x 9 kg = 360 packets) for this price. Therefore, this form of shipping would increase the price of each packet by 0.84 cents CDN (304.62$/360 packets = 0.84) Bringing the price of one packet of 50 seeds to at least 3.6$ CDN or 295.39 Nepalese rupees.
The overall shipping cost would likely be too expensive for the average Nepalese farmer, so there would have to be some intermediary players at work. One actor, to buy the seeds from the producer and have them boxed and given to the third party shipping company. Another actor in Nepal would be useful to help distribute the seed packets from Kathmandu to various rural areas and collect the payments from the farmers. An agricultural extension worker or an organized co-op system could fill this role.
Canada has long had a good trade relationship with Nepal thus aiding the flow of trade. Nonetheless, the large-scale exportation of foreign plant material to Nepal requires a phytosanitary certificate dated 30 days or less before its arrival in Nepal (MAF Biosecurity Authority, 2011; Government of Nepal, 2012). A phytosanitary import permit is also required. Small scale shipments are not accounted for in the regulations (MAF Biosecurity Authority, 2011). The procurement of this certification is done through the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) (Government of Canada, 2016). The permit to import must be given by the importing country (in this case Nepal) allowing the agri-food products into the country provided they meet the phytosanitary requirements (Government of Canada, 2016).
While most small-scale seed producers do have international shipping options, many of these companies do not ship in bulk. With fixed international rates ranging between 15$CDN for 1 packet to 30$ for a few packets, it is more cost effective to transport the seeds through a third party shipping company if seeking to buy more than a few packets (Jason, 2016; The Incredible Seed Company, 2016). Using the company A1frieghtforwarding an air transport method, the costs are greater but are fixed for large brackets. For instance, if 2 bean seeds equate to approximately 1g then for 1 kg one can get 2000 seeds or 40 seed packets. For instance, costs are fixed with this method of transport when shipping from Halifax, Canada to Kathmandu, Nepal within the bracket of 1-9kg at 304.62$CDN. If assuming the exportation of the most seeds for this range, one can ship 360 packets (40 packets x 9 kg = 360 packets) for this price. Therefore, this form of shipping would increase the price of each packet by 0.84 cents CDN (304.62$/360 packets = 0.84) Bringing the price of one packet of 50 seeds to at least 3.6$ CDN or 295.39 Nepalese rupees.
The overall shipping cost would likely be too expensive for the average Nepalese farmer, so there would have to be some intermediary players at work. One actor, to buy the seeds from the producer and have them boxed and given to the third party shipping company. Another actor in Nepal would be useful to help distribute the seed packets from Kathmandu to various rural areas and collect the payments from the farmers. An agricultural extension worker or an organized co-op system could fill this role.
Canada has long had a good trade relationship with Nepal thus aiding the flow of trade. Nonetheless, the large-scale exportation of foreign plant material to Nepal requires a phytosanitary certificate dated 30 days or less before its arrival in Nepal (MAF Biosecurity Authority, 2011; Government of Nepal, 2012). A phytosanitary import permit is also required. Small scale shipments are not accounted for in the regulations (MAF Biosecurity Authority, 2011). The procurement of this certification is done through the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) (Government of Canada, 2016). The permit to import must be given by the importing country (in this case Nepal) allowing the agri-food products into the country provided they meet the phytosanitary requirements (Government of Canada, 2016).