Comparative profitability of winter maize, wheat and potato cultivation in some selected sites of savar, dhaka

Abstract

ABSTRACT : This study examined the economic performance of winter maize under rainfed conditions based on a sample survey of 47 maize growing farmers of Savar thana under Dhaka district. The results of this study revealed that per hectare costs of production of winter maize were Taka 25,845 and Taka 17,973 on full cost and cash cost basis, respectively while per hectare gross return was estimated to be Taka 34,506. Per hectare net returns of winter maize were Taka 8,662 and Taka 16,533, respectively, considering full cost and cash cost. Comparative analysis of the study showed that winter maize was more profitable as compared to wheat but less profitable than potato. However, it was found that there was no statistically significant difference between the per hectare profit of maize and potato while the significant differences were found between the per hectare profit of potato and wheat and also between that of maize and wheat. Low market demand, high price of fertilizer, higher requirement of labour for crop protection and low price of product were the major problems reported by the farmers in producing maize. The study revealed that timely availability of inputs, credit facilities, fair output price and effective extension services were needed for expansion of winter maize acreage.