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An Economic Study of Potato Production in Selected Areas of Sylhet District

M M Begum
Department of Agricultural Finance and Banking, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet-3100, Bangladesh

J K Saha*
Department of Agricultural Finance and Banking, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet-3100, Bangladesh

M A Rahman
Department of Agricultural Finance, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh

M R Ahmed
Department of Agricultural Finance and Banking, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet-3100, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

The study assesses the profitability of potato cultivation in some selected areas of Sylhet district in Bangladesh. A total of 50 farmers were selected from different villages of Fenchugong upazila in Sylhet district. Both tabular and descriptive techniques were used to analyze the collected data. Average family size was 6.24 which was found to be higher in large farm followed by small and medium farms. On an average the dependency ratio was 3.22. The literacy in the study area was higher than that of national average of Bangladesh. Agriculture was found to be dominating occupation among the inhabitants. On an average 50% of the total income obtained from potato production. The annual savings of the sampled farmers was found to be higher in large farm followed by medium and small farm. On an average hectare^-1 cost of production of potato was Tk. 1, 94,114. The average hectare^-1 yield of potato was 17194 Kg. The highest yield was obtained by large farms (18291 kg ha^-1) while it was the lowest in small farms (16804 kg ha^-1 ). When all costs were taken into account the average net return was observed to be Tk. 81336. On an average BCR was the highest in large farms (1.68) appearing lowest in small farms (1.34). The study identified some major problems like nonavailability of quality seeds and high price, low market price, shortage of human labor, lack of storage facilities etc. The farmers opined that potato production would be economically viable if quality seeds with affordable price, marketing facilities with standard price, storage facilities, fertilizer and insecticides with reasonable price are ensured.

Keywords: Potato production, Profitability, Constraints.

Location: Fenchugang upazila of Sylhet district

Start Date: 00-03-2016

End Date:

Program Area: Socio-economic and Policy

Commodity: Potato

Objectives:

The specific objectives of the study are to assess the socio-economic characteristics of the potato growers, to estimate profitability of potato production and to evaluate the constraints for potato production and to suggest some measures for Improvements.

Methodology:

The present study was based on field level primary data which were collected from randomly selected potato growers in some selected villages of Fenchugang upazila of Sylhet district. The survey method was used in the present study. Total sample size was 50. The information was collected during the month of March, 2016. After collection of data a list of tables, figures were prepared on the basis of the study. The collected data were thereafter analyzed and condensed by using tabular statistical techniques to obtain the result. To calculate the economic performance of potato, the simple statistical model such as the average, percentage, total cost, total return, gross margin and benefit cost ratio etc. were used. Benefit Cost Ratio (BCR) The BCR is a relative measure, which is used to compare benefit per unit of cost. The BCR was estimated as a ratio of gross returns and gross costs. The formula calculating BCR (undiscounted) was as such: Benefit Cost Ratio = Gross benefit / Gross cost.

Source of Information: J. Sylhet Agril. Univ. 4(1): 129-136, 2017 ISSN: 2308-1597

Article Link (Online Journal): www.jsau.com.bd

Funding Source:

1.

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

The study mainly investigates the profitability and the constraints for potato production. The mean family size of the potato growers is the higher than the national average of Bangladesh and most of the farmers have secondary education. Agriculture is the main occupation for majority of the potato farmers and their earnings come from potato production. The farmers mostly expense for food items and their annual savings increase with the increase in farm size. The hectare^-1 cost of potato production is the highest for small farms while it was the lowest for large farmers. The highest cost item was the human labor with compare to other items. The large farms receive the highest amount of yield but it was the lowest for small farms. Potato cultivation is financially profitable among the farmers in the study area. Most of potato growers face same category problems but in different ways. Non-availability of quality seed and high price is the major constraint of potato cultivations for the farmers. The quality seeds as well as other inputs need to be available to the potato growers in time at reasonable price.

Knowledge Management: Journal