A STUDY ON PROFITABILITY AND MARKETING OF CAULIFLOWER CULTIVATION IN NARSINGDI DISTRICT OF BANGLADESH

Abstract

Cauliflower is one of the popular winter vegetables in Bangladesh. Cauliflower is low in fat, but high in dietary fiber, folate, water, and vitamin C, possessing a high nutritional density, and beneficial to human health. This study was conducted to determine the profitability, marketing channel and marketing margin of Cauliflower in Narsingdi district of Bangladesh in 2019. A total of 105 respondents were interviewed through structured survey questionnaire. The result reveals that an average 65 man-days/acre was used for Cauliflower cultivation where on an average 31 man-days/acre was family supplied labour. The total cost of cauliflower production was Tk. 75807/acre. The quantity of main product on an average was 9500 kg and per unit price was Tk. 15.50/kg. Gross return was Tk 152250/acre and the benefit cost ratio was 2.04. Econometric analysis indicates that variables like seed, TSP, pesticides and farmers' experience had positive and statistically significant influence on Cauliflower production. The marketing costs of Faria (local traders), Bepari, Aratdar, Wholesaler and Retailer of cauliflower were Tk.68.72, Tk.161.37, Tk.135.09, Tk.155.66, and Tk. 154.39 per quintal respectively. It was revealed that marketing margin of the Faria, Bepari, Aratdar, Wholesaler and Retailer was Tk.170, Tk.210, Tk.240, Tk. 260 and Tk. 410 per quintal, respectively. In the study area farmers suffered with some problems in marketing their products such as poor communication and transport facilities, dominance of intermediaries, lack of adequate storage facilities, and low price in harvesting season. Providing good quality seed, storage facilities and helping them in forming ‘farmers group' for collective marketing of their products will contribute to increase their economic return.