Profitability And Determinants Of Potato Yield In District Swat Of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

Abstract

This study identified and analyzed major determinants of potato yield in district Swat of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. A three-stage random sampling technique was used to collect data from 100 respondents during 2018. A Cobb-Douglas type production function was used to approximate effect of determinants on potato yield. Major shares of the input cost per acre incurred in the study area were seed (Rs. 18720), followed by land rent (Rs.15890) and labors having an estimated cost of Rs. 14965 respectively. The analysis showed that on average per acre yield of potato was recorded as 4,953.35 kg with net revenue of Rs. 28,261.89. The results of the Cobb-Douglas type production function revealed that the coefficients of seed, labor, tractor, urea and chemicals were positive and statistically significant having elasticities of 0.211, 0.110, 0.103, 0.073 and 0.064, respectively. The study recommends that government should subsidize the inputs and arrange trainings for potato growers regarding use of recommended chemical fertilizer and efficient utilization of seed, labor and other inputs to accelerate potato production and thereby profit of farmers.