Benefit Cost Analysis of Orange Fleshed Sweet Potato (Ipomoea batatas L.) Varieties under Varying Planting Density

Abstract

An investigation was conducted at the National Root Crops Research Institute, Umudike and at the Research Farm of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike, Umuahia, Abia State (Nigeria), to determine the benefit cost analysis of orange fleshed sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L.) varieties under varying planting density (25,000; 33,333 and 50,000 plants/ha). The output of the production was computed by the use of benefit cost ratio (BCR) of the orange-fleshed sweet potato production. The benefit cost ratio analysis indicated that enterprise was successful and growing of the ‘Melinda’ variety at 50,000 plants/ha was a more profitable enterprise. The benefit cost-cost ratio of ‘Melinda’ variety at 50,000 plants/ha in 2015 and 2016 was 1.45 and 1.56 respectively while that of ‘Tio-joe’ at 50,000 plants/ha in both cropping seasons gave a benefit cost ratio of 1.14 and 1.42 respectively. The returns from selling of the vine cuttings brought about an incredible hike in the net return of the enterprise. ‘Melinda’ at 50,000 plants/ha is recommended to farmers as the most profitable venture in this experiment.