PROFITABILITY ANALYSIS OF GLADIOLUS CULTIVATION IN THE SELECTED AREAS OF JASHORE DISTRICT IN BANGLADESH

Abstract

Gladiolus occupies a pristine place in the garden for its magnificent inflorescence, wide array of colours, and fascinating varieties of shapes and sizes. Present study was conducted in order to identify the important socio-economic attributes of gladiolus cultivators; to determine the profitability of gladiolus farming; and to identify problem faced by the gladiolus growers. The study was undertaken purposively in Jhikargacha upazilla under Jashore district. Pre-tested and well-structured questionnaire was used to collect data from 80 farmers from 1st November, 2019 to 1st December, 2019. The average yields of gladiolus was 2,00,000 per hectare for the farmers. The gross returns per hectare was Tk. 6,00,000. It was observed that per hectare net return was Tk. 2,00,150. Cost and returns were worked out to estimate profitability of gladiolus production. Per hectare total cost, gross return, net return and gross margin were Tk. 3,99,850, Tk. 6,00,000, Tk. 2,00,150 and Tk. 2,67,050 respectively. Benefit Cost Ratio was 1.6. Cobb-Douglas production function analysis was carried out for examining the factors affecting the profitability of input use. In most of the cases the coefficients of irrigation, human labor, cost of TSP, cost of manure and cost of pesticide appeared to be significant. The F-value for the gladiolus farmers was 18.76 which were highly significant at 1 percent level. Lack of capital was the l st problems in the study and improper packaging was the last problem.