FINANCIAL PROFITABILITY ANALYSIS OF GERBERA FLOWER CULTIVATION IN SOME SELECTED AREAS OF JASHORE DISTRICT

Abstract

Farmers are now profiting from Gerbera cultivation, but socioeconomic data and information about this flower are scarce in Bangladesh. The purpose of this study is to identify and analyze the relative profitability, factors affecting gerbera cultivation, problems faced by the farmers in December 2020. The study area was chosen purposively, the two villages (Gadkhali and Panisara) at Jhikargachha upazila, under Jashore district. The use of both purposeful and simple random sampling technique were considered. A total of 100 gerbera growers were chosen at random for this study. The data in this study was analyzed using both descriptive and statistical tools (Excel, SPSS, and STATA). After analyzing the data per hectare total cost, gross return, gross margin and net return were Tk. 552847, Tk. 1920042, Tk. 904168 and Tk. 1367195 respectively. Gerbera production was highly profitable in the study area. The benefit cost ratios was 3.47. Human labor, seedling, urea, zinc sulphate and irrigation in the gerbera production were significant in explaining the yield (stick per ha) except the insignificant effects of organic manure, TSP and insecticides. The coefficient with expected sign indicated that the selected inputs contribute positively to the yield. Returns to scale was 0.97. From the problem confrontation index it was found that 98 percent of the farmers confronted natural calamities as 1 st ranked and 86 percent confronted huge investment in production as 2 nd ranked problem. Lack of technical knowledge, lack of cold storage, unavailability of indigenous production materials and inadequate credit facilities were major issues in gerbera cultivation. The government should take the necessary measures to address these issues. Therefore, it is needed to emphasis dissemination activities of technologies (varietal, production etc.) and government support to encourage the farmer in Gerbera cultivation.