Profitability of green leaf cultivation in some selected areas of Panchagarh district in Bangladesh

Abstract

The tea industry has the potentiality of the transform of socioeconomic conditions of rural Bangladesh which provides ample for self-employment of unemployed youth. The present study examines the socioeconomic characteristics, cultural practices and profitability of green leaf cultivation of the randomly selected 45 sample farmers from Panchagarh district in Bangladesh. Primary data were collected through field survey using an interview schedule. Some statistical measures like average percentage and ratios were calculated. The study showed that the average family size of the green leaf growers was 4.77. About 72 % of the respondents’ education levels were primary to higher secondary. On an average 100 % of the tea estates owners’ occupation was business while majority of smaller growers and small holder occupation was agriculture. The average size of land holding per family was 12.16 hectares. But on the other hand, area under tea cultivation was found to be 8.50 hectares. The number of bushes planted per hectare was 15218. The study showed that on average 71% farmers maintained the plant spacing (3 ft. x 2.5 ft.). It was found that 58% farmers plucked more than 3 leaves and bud. On an average, per kilogram cost of green leaf was Tk.11.60 ($ 0.137) and Tk. 13.15($ 0.155) on the basis variable and fixed cost, respectively. The cost was the highest in small holder while it was the lowest in the small farmer. The average per kilogram gross margin of green leaf was Tk.8.90 ($ 0.105). But on the other hand, per kilogram net benefit was Tk.7.35 ($ 0.087). The net benefit was the highest among the small farmer due to lower cost; while net benefit was the lowest in small holder due to higher cost of cultivation. The benefit cost ratio was 1.57.