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A Comparative Economic Analysis of Okra and Bitter Gourd Production in Mymensingh District of Bangladesh

H. Jahan
Associate Professor
Department of Agricultural Economics, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202

M. Asaduzzaman
PhD Researcher
School of Environmental and Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, NSW, Australia

S. Matin
MS student
Department of Agricultural Economics, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

The present study was designed to assess the relative economic performance of two summer vegetables, namely okra and bitter gourd. In total, 60 farmers (30 from each of the okra and bitter gourd growing farmers) were randomly selected from the villages, namely Baira and Ujankashiar char under Sadar upazila of Mymensingh district in Bangladesh. Descriptive statistics, profitability analysis and Cobb-Douglas production function were employed to achieve the specific objectives of the study. The major findings of the study revealed that production of the two selected vegetables were profitable. However, okra production was found to be more profitable than that of bitter gourd. Per hectare gross costs of production of okra and bitter gourd were Taka 1,24,992 and Tk. 1,47,126, respectively and the corresponding gross returns were Tk. 2,15,010 and Tk. 2,32,000, respectively. Per hectare net returns of producing okra and bitter gourd were found to be Tk. 90,018 and Tk. 84,874, respectively. The results of Cobb-Douglas production function indicated that per hectare gross returns of okra and bitter gourd were significantly influenced by the use of human labour, tillage operation, seed, fertilizers, irrigation and insecticides. Based on the findings of the study, it was suggested to improve cultural and management practices of the selected vegetables farming with a view to increasing income and employment opportunity of the farmers. Thus, the rural farmers can improve their economic livelihood by cultivating both okra and bitter gourd.

Keywords: Vegetables, Profitability, Cobb-douglas

Location: Baira and Ujankashiar char under Sadar upazila of Mymensingh district

Start Date: 00-06-2015

End Date: 00-08-2015

Program Area: Socio-economic and Policy

Commodity: Vegetables

Objectives:

To assess the relative economic performance of two summer vegetables, namely okra and bitter gourd.

Methodology:

The area in which a farm business survey is to make depends on the purpose of the survey and possible cooperation from the farmers. Keeping these objectives, two villages namely Baira and Ujankashiar char under Sadar upazila of Mymensingh district were purposively selected for the present study. In total 60 farmers, 30 farmers for okra and 30 for bitter gourd were randomly selected from these two villages to achieve the objectives of the study. A set of interview schedules was prepared for eliciting desired information from the farmers. The present study covered the whole summer vegetables season (March to May) of 2015. Data were collected for this period from June to August, 2015. The collected data were summarized and scrutinized carefully. Data entry was made in computer and analyses were done using the relevant software i.e., Microsoft Excel and Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Data analysis technique:To determine per hectare profitability for each of the selected okra and bitter gourd farming from the view point of individual farmers, the algebraic equation was used, where TR and TC represent Total Return and Total Cost were calculated respectively. Factors affecting production of okra and bitter gourd: Cobb-Douglas production function was chosen to estimate the affects of key variables on production processes of okra and bitter gourd. The double log form of the Cobb-Douglas production function proved to be a superior alternative on theoretical and econometric grounds . Thus, Cobb-Douglas function was selected for this study.

Source of Information: Int. J. Expt. Agric. 6(1):10-14, (2016)

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

1. Government

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

The extension service must be able to render the needed advice, management and technical support to the okra and bitter gourd growers at the appropriate time. At the end, it can be said that the present study provides some useful information for researchers, policy makers as well as farmers for promoting the production of okra and bitter gourd in Bangladesh.

Knowledge Management: Journal