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.
