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SP14-14
Cost-Effectiveness and Resource Use Efficiency of SweetPotato in Bangladesh
Sudhir Chandra Nath, Tanvir Ahmed, Mahe Alam Sorwar S.S.R.M. and Harun-OR-Rashid
Seed and Agro Enterprise, BRAC, BRAC Centre | 75 Mohakhali, Dhaka -1212, Bangladesh
In Bangladesh sweet-potato is the 4th most important source of carbohydrates after rice,
wheat and potato. This study was conducted to determine the profitability and resource use
efficiency of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas Poir) in Bangladesh. The study also aimed to
find the factors affecting gross return of sweet potato production. A total of 100 farmers
were selected from the study area through stratified random sampling technique and face
to face interviews were conducted to collect primary data. The cost and return analysis
indicated that per hectare net return from sweet potato was 82,758.93 BDT (Bangladesh
Taka). Benefit cost ratio (BCR) was 1.97. Labour and vine costs accounted for the 48% and
28% of the total cost, respectively. Cobb-Douglas production function was used to
determine the factors affecting gross return of sweet potato. The result showed that farm
size, cost of vines, cost of land preparation and cost of labour have positive impact on gross
return. Sweet potato cultivation is more sensitive to the output price which can be
compensated for by increasing yield. Resource use efficiency analysis revealed that farmers
are not efficient in using resources in sweet-potato production. Vines, land preparation,
fertilizer and labour were underused and therefore improved use of these resources can
maximize profits in sweet potato production in Bangladesh.