Profitability, labour input, fertilizer application and crop protection in vegetable production in the Arusha region, Tanzania
An analysis was made of the inputs, costs and profit of vegetable production in Arusha region,Tanzania. The aim was to establish the financial capability of vegetable producers to invest inimproved production techniques use of hybrid seeds and drip irrigation. The average incomefrom vegetable production was 17,362 Tanzanian Shilling per hectare per growing day(TZS/ha/Gday). This amount is equivalent to around 7,500 TZS (4.73 USD) per day for 0.53 ha,which is the average area of vegetable production in the study area. After deduction ofestimated daily expenses of a five-member household, the remaining earnings would only makea gradual introduction of hybrid seeds and drip irrigation possible. Farmers have complained oflack of access to affordable credit. Thus companies supplying hybrid seeds and improvedvegetable production equipment would do wise to offer safe and affordable credit. Profit percrop was primarily influenced by labour input and to a lower extent by yield level and productprice. Average labour input per crop ranged from 3 to 13 h/ha/Gday. The average for all cropswas 6.4 h/ha/Gday. About 89% of labour spend, was hired labour, constituting 54% of theaverage total production costs. Average cost of fertilizer application and crop protection were18% and 6% respectively, of total production costs. Farmers complained about high costs ofinorganic fertilizers, which may be the reason for low amounts applied. Most of the activeingredients of fungicides applied are of the mancozeb type, while insecticides belong to theorganochlorines and organophosphates. Herbicide use was low, limited to carrot productiononly.
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article/Letter to editor biblioteca |
| Language: | English |
| Subjects: | Life Science, |
| Online Access: | https://research.wur.nl/en/publications/profitability-labour-input-fertilizer-application-and-crop-protec-2 |
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