Profitability analysis of potato growing in Ödemiş district of Izmir province

Abstract

The aim of this study is to perform an economic analysis of potato growing in Ödemiş district of Izmir province. For this aim, data were collected from 90 farmers by proportional sampling and face-to-face survey methods. Potato production in 2019 was included in the study. In the study, yield, production cost, gross production value, gross and net profit calculations were performed in order to reveal the profitability level of potatoes for entrepreneurs and farmers. According to the results of the study, the average potato production area is 41.88 decares, the average potato yield is 3875.79 kg/da and the potato price received by the farmers is 1.43 TL/kg. It was determined that the farmers used 392.74 kg of seeds, 39.72 kg of nitrogen and 746.89 g of pesticides per decare. The production cost per decare for potatoes is 3274.44 TL and 85.69% of it is variable costs. The gross and net profit from potato production was calculated as 2736.55 TL/da and 2267.94 TL/da, respectively. The results of this study show that potatoes can be grown economically in the district. But, the biggest expectation of the potato farmers included in the research is sustainable and planned production. At this point; there is a need to establish cooperation and coordination among farmers, processors, industrialists, universities and exporters.