Profitability Analysis and Input Use Efficiency of Maize Cultivation in Selected Areas of Bangladesh

Abstract

Maize farmers in Bangladesh are unaware of the benefits of maize cultivation due to a lack of information and concept generation. The objectives of this study were to estimate the cost and return of maize cultivation; assess the input use efficiency of maize cultivation for marginal, small, and medium maize production to address the problems; and suggest policy recommendations. The study was conducted in six villages in the Chuadanga district in Bangladesh. Data were collected by using an interview schedule from the purposively selected 80 respondents during 1–30 June 2018. After analyzing the data, the total cost of production was Tk. 124,495, Tk. 134,335, and Tk. 140,579 for marginal, small, and medium maize production, respectively. Per hectare gross return was Tk. 213,997, Tk. 204,972, and Tk. 197,163, and per hectare gross margin was Tk. 120,478, Tk. 104,748, and Tk. 92,516. Net return was calculated by deducting the gross cost from the gross return, and these were Tk. 89,502, Tk. 70,637, and Tk. 56,584. The benefit–cost ratio was 1.72, 1.53, and 1.40 for marginal, small, and medium maize production, respectively. From Cobb–Douglas production function analysis, it was observed that the coefficients of land preparation cost, irrigation cost, urea, and MoP cost were significant at different levels of probability for marginal, small, and medium maize production, and the coefficients of human labor cost, seed and pesticide used was not significant while the coefficients of TSP was negative and significant. This study also identified some of the problems associated with maize production. The findings revealed that the high price of inputs was the most acute problem, followed by a lack of technical knowledge and shortage of human labor at the critical stage, and declining soil fertility was the last obstacle that stood in the way of maize production in the study area.

Income Effect of Participation in Agricultural Production: The Case of Smallholder Maize Farmers in Tanzania

“…The results are contrary to the study of Geffersa et al [17] and Abdoulaye et al [31] who found positive and significant effect of improved maize seeds on participation in maize production. The contrary results are due to the high cost of improved seeds, coupled with limited access and knowledge, can deter smallholders from using them, leading to lower yields and decreased participation [34].…”

“…Fertilizer use is another critical factor that influences maize participation, as it improves soil fertility and crop yields [32,33]. Herbicides and pesticides use has been found to positively affect smallholder farmers' participation in maize production, as they control weeds and pests, which improves crop yields and income [34,35]. Irrigation use also enhances smallholder farmers' participation CENSUS in maize production, as it reduces the dependence on rain-fed agriculture and increases yields [27,18].…”

Economics of maize cultivation at selected intensive areas of Bangladesh

“…Farmers get a good yield of maize by cultivating hybrid varieties of maize in the study areas. Maize cultivation was profitable and marginal farmers gained higher profits than small and large farmers (Biswas et al, 2023). The average maize production was 10.66 MT ha -1 (Table 5).…”

Analysis of Resource Use Efficiency and Profitability of maize seed production in the Rolpa district of Nepal

“…28 to 34 degrees Celsius is the ideal temperature range for maize cultivation. Higher yields depend on timely sowing (Biswas, et al, 2022). Among cereal crops, maize has emerged as one of the most significant modern staple food crops, and with the highest genetic yield potential (ALABUJA et al 2022;Adesina and Omonona 2019).…”

“…A common primary ingredient in fish and poultry feed is maize. Additionally, maize is used for direct human consumption (Adesina and Omonona 2019;Biswas et al 2022).…”