A STUDY ON PROFITABILITY, RESOURCE USE EFFICIENCY AND MARKETING OF STRAWBERRY CULTIVATION IN RAJSHAHI DISTRICT

Abstract

The present study was aimed to determine the profitability, resource use efficiency and marketing of strawberry cultivation in Rajshahi district of Bangladesh. The survey data were collected from 60 strawberry farmers using structure questionnaire in 2019. The study reveals that strawberry production is profitable to the farmers: the gross return was Tk. 1075000 per acre whereas total cost was Tk. 500521.40 per acre. The Benefit Cost Ratio (BCR) estimated at 2.14. Econometric analysis shows that cost of human labour, seed, manure, TSP and insecticide had significant positive contribution to gross return of strawberry cultivation. In regards of resource use efficiency, manure and TSP were under used whereas seed and human labor was over utilized in strawberry cultivation. The study explored five important marketing channels for strawberry. This study also identified some of the problems and constraints associated with strawberry cultivation such as storage problem, lack of quality seed, capital and training, and also low price of product during harvesting period. Developing new varieties of strawberry, access to credit and extension services and training on production and marketing issue are important to enhance the economic return of strawberry farmers.