ISSN 2736-1624
Frontiers of Agriculture and Food Technology ISSN: 2736-1624 Vol. 14 (6), pp. 001-006, June, 2024. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Exploring Insecticide Practices in Potato Cultivation: A Focus on Erzurum Province, Turkey
Avni Birinci* and Ahmet Semih Uzundumlu
Department of Agricultural Economics, Ataturk University Collage of Agriculture, 25 240 Erzurum, Turkey.
Accepted 8 April, 2024
Abstract
This study aims to determine the cost share of insecticide application in potato cultivating in Pasinler County, Erzurum Province. The research data was derived from 95 questionnaires conducted in 9 villages Pasinler County in 2004. The study results show that all producers were using insecticides on potato cultivation areas. The average potato production per farm was 26.06 tonnes. The chemical application cost was $4.43 per decare and the cost was 1.78% in variable costs and 1.69% in total cost. In the potato farms, on the average, 342.5 kg seed, 100.74 kg chemical fertilizer and 80.46 kg manure were used. Per kilogram potato cost was calculated as $0.14, the mean gross margin and net profit was calculated as $-19.87 and $-60.89 per decare, respectively. Unfortunately, potato production is profitable if only chemicals are used at a certain level in the area. For economically sustainable production, it is necessary either to increase amount of chemicals in order to increase yield, or to increase the sale prices of potato. It has been concluded that the cost of insecticide used in this region is low relative to other areas in the country and potato production in the study area can be considered as environment friendly.
Key words: Insecticide use, potato production, profitability, environment.