PROFITABILITY ANALYSIS OF BANANA CULTIVATION IN SOME SELECTED AREAS OF GAZIPUR DISTRICT

Abstract

In Bangladesh, banana is a significant perishable multifunctional food crop. It is nutrient-dense, readily digested, high in carbohydrate and minerals, and has more calories than potatoes. The agriculture sector contributed about 13.35 percent to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in FY 2019-20, with the crops sub-sector contributing approximately 6.76 percent to the agricultural sector's overall Gross Domestic Product. The general purpose of this research was to determine the profitability of banana cultivation by examining the sociodemographic profile of banana farmers. The district of Gazipur was chosen for the research due to its considerable banana cultivation. Through an interview schedule, data were gathered from 60 sample farmers using a simple random sampling approach. After analyzing the data, it was determined that the net return is Tk. Tk. 118932.30. Average total cost of banana cultivation were estimated to be Tk. 86330.70 per hectare. The Benefit Cost Ratio (BCR) for banana cultivation was determined to be 2.38. While the regression coefficients for labor cost (X 1 ), Urea cost (X 3 ), and MoP cost (X 5 ) were all positive, and mechanical power cost (X 7 ) were all negative and significant at various levels of significance. The coefficients for cost of sucker (X 2 ), the cost of TSP (X 4 ) and irrigation cost (X 6 ) were determined to be insignificant in relation to the return on banana cultivation. The positive indication shows that the return on bananas can be enhanced by raising labor costs, urea costs, and MoP costs, while the negative sign suggests that the return on bananas may be decreased by lowering irrigation and mechanical power costs As a result, it was discovered that banana cultivation was very lucrative. Additionally, this research highlighted a number of problems and constrains related with banana cultivation. These were classified as economic, technological, social, and marketing problems and needs attention of the appropriate authority.