Average Benefit Cost Ratio Research Articles

Production economics of striped catfish (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus, Sauvage, 1878) farming under polyculture system in Bangladesh

The present study assesses the production costs, profitability and the importance of inputs (seed, feed, fertilizer and labor) in striped catfish (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus) production under polyculture system in Bangladesh. A survey was conducted by structured questionnaire during November 2011–June 2012 that included 201 pangasius farmers of four locations, namely Bogra, Jessore, Mymensingh and Narshingdi districts. Based on the aquaculture operation area and management characteristics, these farms were categorized into small, medium and large scale farms. The average annual production costs, gross income, net income and benefit cost ratios were higher (P≥0.05) in medium farms, followed by small and large farms and these parameters varied significantly (P≤0.05) between farm locations. The Cobb-Douglas production function model was applied to evaluate several independent variables (inputs) related with fish production. The results showed that feeding and stocking density were the most significant factors influencing fish production. The analysis also showed an increasing return to scale, implying an increase in inputs will more than proportionately increase production. The estimated marginal physical productivity of the inputs suggests that stocking density, feeding and labor should be increased in order to increase farm profitability. However, some inputs were inefficiently used by different farm categories. Based on the findings of this study, it is recommended that farmers should consider more attention on the use of these inputs more efficiently in order to facilitate a sustainable increase in fish production.

Decisional Informatics for Psychosocial Rehabilitation: A Feasibility Pilot on Tailored and Fluid Treatment Algorithms for Serious Mental Illness.

This study introduces a computerized clinical decision-support tool, the Fluid Outpatient Rehabilitation Treatment (FORT), that incorporates individual and ever-evolving patient needs to guide clinicians in developing and updating treatment decisions in real-time. In this proof-of-concept feasibility pilot, FORT was compared against traditional treatment planning using similar behavioral therapies in 52 adults with severe mental illness attending community-based day treatment. At posttreatment and follow-up, group differences and moderate-to-large effect sizes favoring FORT were detected in social function, work readiness, self-esteem, working memory, processing speed, and mental flexibility. Of participants who identified obtaining a General Education Diploma as their goal, 73% in FORT passed the examination compared with 18% in traditional treatment planning. FORT was also associated with higher agency cost-effectiveness and a better average benefit-cost ratio, even when considering diagnosis, baseline symptoms, and education. Although the comparison groups were not completely equivalent, the findings suggest computerized decision support systems that collaborate with human decision-makers to personalize psychiatric rehabilitation and address critical decisions may have a role in improving treatment effectiveness and efficiency.

Economic analysis of small scale dairy buffalo enterprises in Bhola district of Bangladesh

The purpose of this study was to analyze the socio-economic structure of water buffalo farming at some selected coastal areas of Bhola district of Bangladesh. Data were collected from the 35 small and large farms by surveying during the period January to March, 2015. The study revealed that buffalo rearing was mostly practiced by middle (30-45yrs) and old (>45yrs) aged farmers than young farmers (<30yrs). Majority (45.71%) of the buffalo farmers were educated, have no organized housing facilities for sheltering and depend on locally available roughages and tree leaves to fed buffaloes. The average lactation length was found 228 days andmilk yield was 2.1 litres/ buffalo/ days. The Gross Margin and Net farm profitability per dairy buffalo per lactation year over cash cost and non-cash cost were stood at Tk. 55866.65 & Tk. 51127.89 and Tk.44954.65 & Tk. 40435.39 for Herd size-1 and Herd size-2, respectively that indicates rearing of small- scale dairy buffaloes is highly profitable at coastal belt areas in Bhola District. The average Benefit Cost Ratio (BCR) was accounted for 1:7.51 and 1:3.11, respectively over cash and total cost basis considering both herds. Finding of this study indicates that buffalo rearing is highly profitable in the coastal areas of Bangladesh and a crucial pathway for poverty alleviation.Progressive Agriculture 27 (4): 502-510, 2016

GO-NGO Support in Selected <i>Char</i> Areas of Sirajganj District in Bangladesh: Impact on Crop Profitability and Farmers’ Income Generation

The study was carried out to elucidate the GO-NGO support on farmers’ income generation in selected char areas of Sirajganj district. Following purposive sampling technique, a total of 60 farmers (30 non-supported and 30 GO-NGO supported) were selected for the study. Descriptive statistics, mathematical and statistical analyses were used to analyze the collected data from field survey method. The average benefit cost ratio (BCR) of crop farming for non-supported farmers was 1.70 and for GO-NGO supported farmers it was 1.80 indicated that crop farming was more profitable under GO-NGO supported farmers. The double difference estimates for total income in the year of 2012 and 2014 was Tk. 14046.8 which was statistically significant. Ravallion test result also picturized that, income was increased by Tk. 10404.0 for the support obtained from the different GOs and NGOs. From logit model it was found that farm size, household size, education level of the household head and farm income had significant influence on adopting GO-NGO supports in farming practices. Farmers expressed their opinion about the lack of transportation facilities, low price of output, etc. as major problems. Transportation and communication facilities should be improved in the study areas, government social safety net programmes should be enhanced to support the farmers in char areas and compulsory primary education programme for both male and female should be implemented.

Profitability and yield gap between research station and farm level of Binamoog-8

Estimating profitability and yield gap between research station and farm level of Binamoog-8 was conducted in five major Binamoog-8 growing areas of Bangladesh, namely Ishwardi, Magura, Natore, Jessore and Meherpur. The average cost of production in farm level of Binamoog-8 is Tk. 47373.55ha-1 and higher in Ishwardi (Tk. 53454.92 ha-1) followed by Meherpur, Magura, Natore and Jessore of Tk. 45160.28, Tk. 44300.14, Tk. 45232.95 and Tk. 48719.47 per hectare, respectively .The major shares of total cost were human labour, power tiller and irrigation. The net returns were Tk. 41160, Tk. 42902.30, Tk. 53603.18, Tk. 47494.60 and Tk. 40437.16 per hectare followed in Ishwardi, Meherpur, Magura, Natore and Jessore, respectively. The highest net return (Tk. 53603.18 ha-1) comes from Magura district for Binamoog-8.The undiscounted average benefit cost ratio over full cost basis were 1.77, 1.95, 2.21, 2.05 and 1.83 for Binamoog-8 in field level for Ishwardi, Meherpur, Magura, Natore and Jessore, respectively. The average yield gap of Binamoog-8 in farm level and research station was 129.05 kg per hectare. The yield gap between research station and farm level were 102.97 kg, 185.50 kg, 45.85 kg, 128.50 kg and 182.45 kg per hectare for Binamoog-8 in Ishwardi, Meherpur, Magura, Natore and Jessore, respectively. The highest yield gap between research station and field level was in Meherpur (185.50 kg per hectare) and lowest in Magura (45.85 kg per hectare). Farmers were facing various constraints in Binamoog-8 cultivation. Different strategies, such as lack of quality seed and fertilizer in appropriate time, lack of credit facilities, rainfall during germination period, insect infestation and pathogen infection, pod maturity in different times have been discussed as strategies to minimize yield gaps.Asian J. Med. Biol. Res. December 2016, 2(4): 685-688

An Economic Analysis of Sorghum Seed Production: A Profitable Enterprise for Farmers

Sorghum is an important fodder crop of summer and rainy season and suitable for silage making. It is the fast growing crop and can provide two-three fodder cuttings. the economics of sorghum seed production crop (cv. MP Chari) was analysed for the period Kharif 2010–11, Kharif 2011–12 and Kharif 2012–13 in IGFRI, Jhansi to inform the farmers about the profitability of seed production process. The highest cost was incurred on harvesting and pooling of mature crop. The average total expenditure incurred on that was 4933.3 and it was 17.28 percent of total cost. The average total working capital was found as: 19073.3 per hectare (66.82% of total cost) and total variable cost is: 19645.5 which is 68.82 percent of total cost. The average total cost is found as: 28544.1 per hectare. The average total labour man days used per hectare are 84.64. The average total expenditure incurred on labour is: 12120.28 (42.46%) which is found as highest expenditure in total cost. The highest expenditure in percentage term is incurred on labour followed by manures, draft power and seed cost. On per hectare basis the average quality seed production was 857.00 kilogram. The average rate of quality seed was: 35 per kilogram. The total return was found as: 51899.41 per hectare. The average net return is: 22161.33 per hectare. The average benefit cost ratio at is found as 1.72. The cost of production of seed when only main product quality seed only) was considered for selling was: 35.11 per kilogram of seed. The cost of production of seed when both main product (quality seed only) and other by products (dry fodder, rejected seed etc.) was considered for selling was: 11.18 per kilogram of seed. Thus, it is clear from the study that seed production of sorghum is highly profitable and has wide market available for it.

Economic analysis of Maize Seed Production on Farmers’ Fields

Maize is an important fodder crop of summer and rainy season and suitable for silage making. It is the fast growing crop grown for both fodder and gain. The economics of Maize seed production crop (cv. African tall) was analysed for the period Kharif 2012–13 in seven farmers’ fields in Nidhan Village, Morena, MP. The highest cost was incurred on harvesting and pooling of mature crop. The average total expenditure incurred on that was 5266.1 and it was 18.8% of total cost. The average total working capital was found as 19722.94 per hectare (70.32% of total cost) and total variable cost is 20314.63 which is 72.43% of total cost. The average total cost is found as 28045 per hectare. The average total labour man days used per hectare are 53.59. The average total expenditure incurred on labour is 13305.31 (47.4%) which is found as highest expenditure in total cost. The highest expenditure in percentage term is incurred on labour followed by manures, draft power and seed cost. On per hectare basis the average quality seed production was 1402.68 kilogram. The average rate of quality seed was 25 per kilogram. The total return was found as 56632.95 per hectare. The average net return is 28203.74 per hectare. The average benefit cost ratio at is found as 1.99. The cost of production of seed when only main product quality seed only) was considered for selling was 20.30 per kilogram of seed. The cost of production of seed when both main product (quality seed only) and other by-products (dry fodder, rejected seed etc.) was considered was 4.9 per kilogram of seed. Thus, it is clear from the study that seed production of Maizeis highly profitable and has wide market available for it.

Shrimp Post-Larvae Nursing in Earthen Ponds, Bangladesh

In Bangladesh, shrimp post-larvae (PL) are mainly produced in hatcheries. From 2000s shrimp PL are reared in nurseries containing small earthen ponds by relatively poor people for a few days before stocking into the shrimp farms. This study assesses the physical and chemical parameters of five such nurseries at Satkhira district, Bangladesh using scientific instruments and semi-structured questionnaire. The nursing process involved stocking of PL (4151.8 ± 1581.35 PL/m2) in small earthen ponds (<18m2 area/pond) and raring for up to 10 days with feeding. Most of the physico-chemical parameters were within the suitable range recommended for shrimp culture. The survival rate of PL ranged from 80% to 90%. The nursing system was profitable as the average Benefit-Cost Ratio (BCR) was 1.19. The establishment and operation of these nurseries do not require any expensive equipment or complex technology and can be run by less educated and poor people. However, constraints like lack of credit and continuous water supply are hindering the scaling up of these nurseries in size and number. By providing means to overcome the constraints these nurseries can be an excellent income generating source for the poor entrepreneurs as well as contribute in increasing shrimp production in Bangladesh.

Comparative profitability analysis of IPM and non-IPM technology on vegetable cultivation in selected areas of Kishoreganj District in Bangladesh

The present study is an attempt to examine the socioeconomic characteristics and compared profitability analysis of both IPM and Non-IPM vegetable growers, and to identify the problems faced by vegetables growers in use of IPM practices in some selected areas of Kishoreganj district. A total of 45 farmers were purposively selected where three different IPM practices were taken into consideration. To get a more complete picture of vegetable production using both IPM and non-IPM technology, the socio-economic profile of farmers was examined and compared. The study found that IPM farmers were in better-off condition than that of non-IPM farmers in all types of socioeconomic characteristics. The major findings of the study revealed that production of all the selected vegetables were profitable for both IPM and non-IPM farmers. But, IPM based cultivation was more profitable than that of non-IPM based cultivation. Average total costs were Tk. 86352.8 and Tk. 100061.5 for IPM and non-IPM farmers, respectively. Average gross returns were Tk. 257293.3 and Tk.235788.8 for IPM and non-IPM farmers, respectively. The average net return for IPM farmers was Tk.170940.5 and for non-IPM farmers it was estimated at Tk. 135727.3. The average benefit cost ratio for IPM farmers was 2.9 and for non-IPM farmers it was estimated at 2.3. Most of the farmers were in the categories of low to medium problem confrontation in using IPM practices. The first ranked constraint is lack of training facility. Thus, massive extension facility including training is needed in the study areas to increase the extent of use of IPM technology.Progressive Agriculture 27 (3): 311-319, 2016

Economic feasibility of cooling dry cows across the United States.

Heat stress during the dry period reduces milk yield in the subsequent lactation of dairy cows. Our objectives were to quantify the economic losses due to heat stress if dry cows are not cooled and to evaluate the economic feasibility of dry cow cooling. We used weather data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to calculate the number of heat stress days for each of the 50 US states. A heat stress day was declared when the daily average temperature-humidity index was ≥68. The number of dairy cows in each state in 2015 was obtained from the USDA-National Agricultural Statistics Service. We assumed that 15% of the cows were dry at any time, a 60-d dry period, and a calving interval of 400d. Only cows in their second or greater parity (65%) benefitted from cooling during the dry period of the previous parity. Milk yield decreased by 5kg in the subsequent lactation (340d) if the cow experienced heat stress during the dry period based on a review of the literature. The default marginal value of milk minus feed cost was $0.33/kg of milk. The investment analysis included purchases of fans and soakers and use of water and electricity. Investment in a dry cow barn was considered separately. The average US dairy cow would experience 96 (26%) heat stress days during the year if not cooled and loses 447kg of milk in the subsequent lactation if not cooled when dry. Annual losses would be $810 million if dry cows were not cooled ($87/cow per yr). For the top 3 milk-producing states (California, Wisconsin, New York), and Florida and Texas, the average milk losses in the subsequent lactation were 522, 349, 387, 1,197, and 904kg, and reduced profit per cow per year would be $101, $68, $75, $233, and $176, respectively. The average benefit-cost ratio and payback periods of cooling dry cows in the United States were 3.15 and 0.27 yr (dry cow barn already present) and 1.45 and 5.68 yr (if investing in a dry cow barn) in the default scenario. To reach positive net present values, 6d (barn is present) and 55d (barn investment necessary) of heat stress annually were necessary (default assumptions). Other benefits of cooling, such as increased health and more productive offspring, were not considered. In conclusion, cooling of dry cows was profitable for 89% of the cows in the United States when building a new barn is required (under default assumptions) and very profitable when construction of a dry cow barn is not required (except for Alaska).

Benefit–Cost Analysis of Florida High-Friction Surface Treatments

High-friction surface treatments (HFSTs) are effective at reducing crashes on horizontal curves; however, HFST effectiveness on other roadway sections (e.g., tangents, intersections, intersection approaches) is not well documented. The crash reduction effectiveness of HFSTs in Florida was assessed, and the benefit–cost (BC) ratios for these section types were calculated. The researchers identified 23 HFST projects in Florida and attempted to collect data for each project, including bidding records, roadway geometry, and crash statistics. The cost data were based on the average comprehensive HFST unit cost and scaled by the size of the application. The benefit was estimated on the basis of 5-year extrapolations of average total and wet weather crash reductions. Savings were estimated on the basis of Florida Department of Transportation KABCO severity distribution of the crashes and an average cost per crash. On average, HFST applications on tight curves reduced the total crash rate by 32% and the wet weather crash rate by 75%. The average BC ratio on tight curve sections was between 18 and 26, depending on the benefit calculation method. Wide curve and tangents sections had few accidents initially, and HFST had negligible impact. From a crash perspective, wide curve and tangent HFST applications are not cost-effective. The effectiveness of HFST on intersection and approach applications is still inconclusive. Half the sections had good BC ratios and the other sections had negative benefit (increased crash rates). When considering the application of HFST, the engineer should consider whether there is an existing crash problem and whether it is skid related.

The Potential Role for Supervised Injection Facilities in Canada’s Largest City, Toronto

Supervised injection facilities (SIFs) or supervised consumption rooms are a component of harm reduction strategies that attempt to reduce drug overdoses and risky injection behaviors among injection drug users. The purpose of this study is to determine whether expanding SIFs into the City of Toronto, Ontario, would be a fiscally responsible decision. By analyzing secondary data gathered in 2013, this article relies on mathematical models to estimate the number of new HIV and hepatitis C virus infections prevented as a result of SIF locations in Toronto. After factoring in the costs associated with SIFs, the models produce cost–benefit and cost-effectiveness outputs. With very conservative estimates, it is predicted that establishing SIF locations in Toronto is cost effective with an average benefit–cost ratio of 1:1.2 for the first two facilities based on the sensitivity analysis at 30% sharing rate. Consequently, funding SIFs in Canada’s largest city appears to be an efficient and effective use of financial resources in the public health domain with cost savings in excess of CAN$728,620 per year for the first two facilities.

Is a Minimum Regulation Efficient: Empirical Evidence from Roadworthiness Inspection Regime in EU-27

Is a minimum regulation efficient or not? This general question of the paper is answered by empirical evidence using cost-benefit analyses. The period technical inspection in the European Union is regulated by a minimum regulation leading to 13 different practices of roadworthiness inspection of passenger cars and light goods vehicles. It can be shown that for Belgium, which has a best-case inspection, moving to the minimum regulation will lead to annual welfare losses of $93.6 million, and for Germany a marginal improvement of the minimum regulation leads to $1 billion benefits per year and an average benefit cost-ratio of 1.7.

Economic analysis of scientific sorghum fodder production technology and its comparative impact on farmers’ livelihood

Sorghum is a warm-season annual that is used for silage production and fed to dairy cattle in many regions of the India. The economics of sorghum fodder crop (cv. JHO-822) production under the farmer's fields was analysed for the period of kharif 2011–12 to kharif 2012–13 in Datia, M.P. A total of 12 farmers were taken during kharif 2011 and 9 farmers were guided about the scientific fodder production practices. At the same time, 6 farmers were selected in 2011 and 5 in 2012 that were growing local seed of sorghum and adopting traditional methods of fodder production. The total working capital is 14907.03 per hectare and total variable cost is 15354.24 which is 67.53 per cent of total cost. The average total cost is found as 22738.20 per hectare. Thus the highest expenditure in percentage term is incurred on labour followed by manures and seed cost and draft power. On per hectare basis the average fodder production was 523.89 quintals. The average rate of green fodder is taken as 100 per quintal. It is the rate at which the farmers sell their green fodder in the market. The total value of green fodder that is total return is found as 52388. The net return is 29650.68 per hectare. The average benefit cost ratio at farm only is found as 2.31. Impact of sorghum fodder (MP Chari) crop was studied in relation to the existing fodder crop of sorghum grown by the farmers in Datia (M.P.). The green fodder yield was 13.03 per cent higher and the gross return is also increased by 13.03 per cent over the traditional practice.

Financial analysis of brucellosis control for small-scale goat farming in the Bajío region, Mexico

Brucellosis is an endemic disease in small-scale goat husbandry systems in Mexico. It is a zoonosis and the economic consequences can be large, although estimates are not available for the Mexican goat sector. Our objective was to conduct a financial analysis of brucellosis control in a prominent dairy goat production area of the Bajío region, Mexico. We used three models: (1) a brucellosis transmission model at village flock level (n=1000 head), (2) a flock growth model at smallholder flock level (n=23 head) using output of model 1 and (3) cost–benefit analysis of several brucellosis control scenarios based on output of model 2. Scenarios consisted of test-and-slaughter or vaccination or a combination of both compared to the base situation (no control). The average net present values (NPV) of using vaccination over a 5-year period was 3.8 US$ (90% CI: 1.3–6.6) and 20 US$ (90% CI: 11.3–28.6) over a 10-year period per goat. The average benefit-cost ratios over a 5-year period and 10-year period were 4.3 US$ (90% CI: 2.2–6.9) and 12.3 US$ (90% CI: 7.5–17.3) per goat, respectively. For the total dairy goat population (38,462 head) of the study area (the Bajío of Jalisco and Michoacán) the NPV's over a 5-year and 10-year period were 0.15 million US$ and 0.8 million US$. However, brucellosis prevalence was predicted to remain relatively high at about 12%. Control scenarios with test-and-slaughter predicted to reduce brucellosis prevalence to less than 3%, but this produced a negative NPV over a 5-year period ranging from −31.6 to −11.1 US$ and from −31.1 to 7.5 US$ over a 10-year period. A brucellosis control campaign based on vaccination with full coverage is economically profitable for the goat dairy sector of the region although smallholders would need financial support in case test-and-slaughter is applied to reduce the prevalence more quickly.

State highway investment in New Zealand: the decline and fall of economic efficiency

A decade ago, the benefit-cost ratio (BCR) – the economic measure of efficiency in investment spending – was the most important criterion used by the predecessors of the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) to determine which land transport projects to fund. However, from 2003 there was a gradual shift away from a reliance on the BCR, and since 2009 it has been only one of three criteria used. In this article I examine how this change has come about, and demonstrate that it has resulted in the funding of a mix of state highway projects that is far from being economically efficient. Average BCRs have dropped so much that the estimated benefit from the allocated funding is far smaller than it would have been had the reliance on the BCR been retained.

A cost-benefit/cost-effectiveness analysis of proposed supervised injection facilities in Montreal, Canada

BackgroundThis paper will determine whether expanding Insite (North America’s first and only supervised injection facility) to more locations in Canada such as Montreal, cost less than the health care consequences of not having such expanded programs for injection drug users.MethodsBy analyzing secondary data gathered in 2012, this paper relies on mathematical models to estimate the number of new HIV and Hepatitis C (HCV) infections prevented as a result of additional SIF locations in Montreal.ResultsWith very conservative estimates, it is predicted that the addition of each supervised injection facility (up-to a maximum of three) in Montreal will on average prevent 11 cases of HIV and 65 cases of HCV each year. As a result, there is a net cost saving of CDN$0.686 million (HIV) and CDN$0.8 million (HCV) for each additional supervised injection site each year. This translates into a net average benefit-cost ratio of 1.21: 1 for both HIV and HCV.ConclusionsFunding supervised injection facilities in Montreal appears to be an efficient and effective use of financial resources in the public health domain.

Development of Profitable Integrated Farming Systems for Small and Marginal Farmers of Hyderabad Karnataka Region Under Irrigated Condition

A field experiment was conducted on performance of integrated farming system over conventional farming system for one ha. area at Main Agricultural Research Station, Raichur, Karnataka for three successive years of 2010–11 to 2012–13 under irrigated conditions in medium black soils to explore the productivity and profitability under irrigated condition. Among the system evaluated integrated farming system has recorded higher average net returns (Rs. 1,50,710) and benefit cost ratio (3.61) over conventional method as it records average net returns of Rs.65,000 with benefit cost ratio (2.85). The productivity and profitability during third year (2012–13) was more than second and first year under integrated farming system. During third year of integrated farming system records higher net returns (Rs. 2,45,398) with 4.63 B:C ratio than second year (Rs.1,29,442 net returns with 3.34 B:C ratio) and first year (Rs.76968 net returns with 2.53 B:C ratio) respectively.

Economic Performance of Ginger (Zingiber officinale Rose.) Cultivation in Some Selected Locations of Bangladesh

The study was conducted in two ginger growing districts, namely Nilphamari and Khagrachari of Bangladesh during the period of 2009-10 to estimate the technical efficiency of ginger growers. The study revealed that ginger production was profitable and the average benefit cost ratio (BCR) was found 2.17. The estimated results showed that the average level of technical efficiency among the sample farmers was 85. This implies that given the existing technology and level of inputs, the output could be increased by 15 percent. In inefficiency model, the coefficient of farmer’s education and experience in ginger cultivation was negative and significant. Sixty eight percent farmers produced outputs to the maximum frontier output level (81-95%). Farmers in the study area also mentioned some problems like incidence of root rot disease, high price of seed, insect infestation etc to its production. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjar.v37i1.11182 Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 37(1): 109-120, March 2012

Do adults with autism benefit monetarily from working in their communities?

This study explored the employment outcomes and cost-efficiency of 19,436 adults with autism spectrum disorder who had their cases closed by government-operated vocational rehabilitation agencies throughout the United States from 2002 to 2007. Analyses presented here indicated that individuals working in the community generated more monetary benefits than monetary costs (i.e. average benefit-cost ratio of 5.28 and monthly net benefit of $643.20). Further, this result was found regardless of the state in which services were provided or whether the individual had multiple conditions. However, rates of employment (M = 40. 6%), hours worked per week (M = 23.7), and wages earned per month (M = $793.34) were low throughout the United States.