Abstract:
Potato is a vital crop in Bangladesh, with the country being the fourth-largest producer
in Asia. It is contributing significantly to the country's economy and food security. The
sample frame for this research was purposively chosen to include areas with extensive
potato farming. A sample size of 80 farmers who cultivated potato in Munshiganj
district was chosen. This research aimed to investigate the socio-demographic profile
of potato farmers, assess the comparative profitability and resource use efficiency of
hybrid and local varieties of potatoes, and identify the problems faced by farmers during
potato cultivation. The research found that high yielding variety potato cultivation was
more profitable than local variety potato cultivation, with an undiscounted benefit cost
ratio of 1.20 compared to 1.02 for local variety potato cultivation. The study also found
that all the inputs were overutilized. The constrains in potato production and marketing
include high rotting rate during storage, low price of output, high cost of storage
facilities, scarcity of quality seed, problems of middlemen in the market, lack of modern
cultivation knowledge, and unavailability of credit and extension services. The
government has implemented policies such as providing fertilizer and seed subsidies
and creating potato storage facilities to help potato growers.
Description:
A thesis submitted to the department of Agricultural Economics, Sher-e-Bangla
Agricultural University, Dhaka, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree
of
MASTER OF SCIENCE
IN
AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS
