Analysis of Socio-economic Factors and Profitability of Hybrid Maize Production in Eastern Terai of Nepal

Abstract

The study was conducted to analyze the socioeconomic factors and profitability of hybrid maize production in eastern Nepal. A household survey was conducted from March to April, 2017 in two districts Morang and Sunsari to collect information on socioeconomic characteristics and economics of maize production. The Structured questionnaire was administered to 98 randomly selected households from two districts i.e. 41 from Morang and 57 from Sunsari district. Descriptive and statistical tools including multiple regression model were used to analyze the data. The multiple regression model showed that larger the maize area, higher the education of household head and households who received maize farming related training were significant and positive towards maize output. Farmers of Morang district have higher maize production than Sunsari district. The benefit-cost ratio (1.7) indicates that hybrid maize farming was profitable with productivity of 6.9 ton per hectare. Despite the importance of maize crop to household income, many constraints were reported in its productivity including lack of irrigation, a high cost of inputs and the incidence of pests and diseases. Ensuring access to irrigation, training on maize farming, mechanization and efficient extension services were recommended to increase hybrid maize production in eastern Nepal.