PROFITABILITY AND RESOURCE USE EFFICIENCY OF TOMATO PRODUCTION IN SOME SELECTED AREAS OF NARSINGDI DISTRICT IN BANGLADESH

Abstract

In the agrarian and poor densely populated country like Bangladesh which is situated in South Asia, vegetable plays a crucial role in supplying nutrition and generating income and employment opportunities. The study was conducted to analyse the profitability, contribution of factors in yield and socioeconomic status of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) producing farmers at Narsingdi Sadar & Raipura thana under Narsingdi district to assess the profitability, contribution of factors to production and changes in socio-economic status of the farmers. The study was based on primary data, collected from 90 farmers, selected using a simple random sampling technique. The main factors of production like, seeds, human labour, tillage, fertilizer, manure, irrigation, hormone and pestticides were considered to estimate the impacts on tomato production. Amongst 2 thanas, farmers from Raipura earned highest profit. Gross returns for per hectare were Tk. 933160 corresponding net returns was Tk. 545637. Moreover, the undiscounted benefit cost ratio of was in total (2.4). The coefficient of determinations (R

2 ) was about 0.876, which indicates that about 87 percent of variations of tomato production are explained by the independent variables. The result showed that human labour, tillage, fertilizer and manures of the variables were significantly positive, which implies independent inputs had effective contribution to increase tomato production. The ratio of MVP and MFC of seed, land preparation, Fertilizer, Manure, Hired labour and Irrigation was found 5.18, 2.42, 12.62, 7.86, 0.877 and 30.88 respectively. About 35 % of total variable cost was incurred for using human labour, respectively. Timely non availability of labour, insect and diseases attack was reportedly the major problems for tomato production. Effective policy and proper extension services have therefore, to be ensured to increase income and employment opportunities of the tomato farmers.