PROFITABILITY OF POTATO PRODUCTION: CASE OF VERMICOMPOST USERS AND NON-USERS IN NILPHAMARI DISTRICT

Abstract

The present study was undertaken to compare the profitability of potato production between vermicompost users and non-users. For achieving the objectives, the study was conducted on 60 potato farmers of Domar and Jhaldhaka upazila under Nilphamari District, of which 30 were considered as vermicompost users and 30 as vermicompost non-users potato farmers. Tabular methods was used for analyzing the data. Vermicompost user’s total variable cost was higher than vermicompost non-users. Per hectare total cost was found to be Tk. 189807 and Tk.180819 for vermicompost users and vermicompost non-users respectively. The gross return were found to be Tk. 366600 per hectare for vermicompost users and Tk. 313625 for vermicompost non-users. Vermicompost user’s gross return was higher than vermicompost non-users. Gross margin was found to be Tk. 210078 for vermicompost users and Tk. 168541 per hectare for vermicompost non-users. Vermicompost user’s gross margin was higher than vermicompost non-users. The net return was estimated as Tk. 176793 and Tk. 132806 per hectare for vermicompost users and non-users. Benefit cost ratio (BCR) was found to be 1.93 and 1.73 for vermicompost user and vermicompost non-user respectively. The study indicates that the vermicompost users received higher profit compared to vermicompost non-users. Informants replied that non-availability of seeds was the first constraints in the study areas for vermicompost users and lack of credit facilities was the most crucial problem for vermicompost non- users.