3.1 Selection of the study area and sample Keeping in view the main objectives of the present study, Sekendarkhali village under Amtali Upazila of Barguna district was selected purposively for the study. This locality covers a large area under agricultural practices and farmers in this area have recently started Rabi season agriculture. Moreover, this village is situated in a saline water zone of Bangladesh, which is recognized as a sweet water-scarce area. The village is not so densely populated. It has a population of about 1,450 people consisting of 292 households. The climatic condition of the selected area is not different from the other parts of the district . A total number of 60 farmers were selected randomly in the proposed research to fulfill the objectives of the study. Since the main purpose of the study was to find the economic suitability of growing peanut, a representative 50 peanut growing farmers were selected to fulfill the objective. In addition, to examine the benefit of producing peanut over Boro rice, a representative number of Boro rice farmers (10 farmers) were selected. The reason for selecting the limited number of Boro rice farmers was, due to a shortage of sweet water, currently, only a few farmers are cultivating Boro rice in the study area. That is why the sample size for Boro rice growing farmers is much less than peanut growing farmers.
3.2 Methods of data collection Primary data were collected through face-to-face interviews with the farmers with the help of a pre-tested interview schedule. The study also conducted two focus group discussions (FGDs) including both peanut farmers and Boro rice farmers. Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) were conducted with two field workers of Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI) and NGO Shushilan who were working closely with the community for the last few years. Before going to make an actual interview, consent was taken from the respondents or participants, brief information about the aims and objectives of the present study was clearly explained to them and other ethical issues were dealt with properly. The period of the investigation covered by the study was the Rabi season of 2018-2019. In the study area, peanut and Boro rice both are generally sown in November to December and harvested in March to April. The interview for this study area was conducted during April-May 2019.
3.3 Data analysis techniques Socioeconomic characteristics of the farmers Socioeconomic data were presented mostly in tabular and graphical forms. These forms are simple in calculation, widely used, and easy to understand. Descriptive statistics like sum, averages, percentages, and ratios were calculated to scrutinize the socioeconomic characteristics of sample farmers. Profitability analysis of crop production The profitability of peanut and Boro rice production from the viewpoint of individual farmers was measured in terms of gross return, gross margin, the net return, and benefit-cost ratio (undiscounted). The formula needs for the calculation of profitability is discussed below
Gross Return Gross return was calculated by simply multiplying the total volume of output of rice with per unit price received by the farmers. It was consisted sum of the volume of the main product and its by-product. That is, Gross Return = ∑ (Q× P) Where, Q = Quantity of the product and P = Average price of the product.
Gross Margin The gross margin is the gross return over variable cost. The gross margin was calculated by the difference between gross return and total variable costs. That is, Gross Return = Gross return − Total variable cost
Net Return Net return was obtained by deducting all costs (variable and fixed) from gross return. That is, Net return, π =∑ (Py × Y) - ∑ (Px × X) − TFC Where, Py = Price per unit of produce, Y = Quantity of the produce, Px = Price per unit of inputs, X= Quantity of the inputs, and TFC = Total fixed cost.
Benefit-Cost Ratio (BCR) The BCR is a relative measure, which is used to compare benefit per unit of cost. The BCR is estimated as a ratio of gross returns and gross costs. The formula for calculating BCR (undiscounted) is shown below: Benefit-cost ratio = Gross benefit ÷ Gross cost Social benefits of peanut production Social benefits of peanut production were identified on the basis of individual farmer’s perceptions including KIIs and FGDs generated through qualitative approaches. Figure 2 includes some indicators to explore the social benefit of peanut production in the study area.