Effects of early and late sowing on the profitability of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) production

Abstract

Objective: To analyze how early and late sowing can improve the income of cucumber producers in the state of Michoacán, Mexico. Design/Methodology/Approach: Monthly income, production cost, profit, and benefit-cost ratio were calculated in three sowing scenarios: middle, early, and late. Results: In an early sowing scenario, the income and profit of the producers increase by 10.2 and 9.2 million pesos, respectively, compared to the middle sowing scenario. Likewise, in a late sowing scenario, producer income and profits increase by 29.2 and 20.0 million pesos, regarding the middle sowing scenario. Study Limitations/Implications: The negative effects on vegetable prices of temporary excess supply prove the need to plan the surface that will be used for early and late sowing, as well as to create a regulatory body that plans the cucumber sowing area. Findings/Conclusions: Sowing cucumber and other vegetables in early or late dates is recommended, since better production planning will increase the producers’ income and profit.