Estimating cost and net return: A profitability comparison of maize and potato in District Upper Dir of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

The aim of this study was to examine the profitability comparison of maize and potato crops estimating their cost and net return in district Upper Dir of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Four villages namely; Ushirai, Sheringal, Kumrat and Palam were purposively selected, while Random Sampling technique was applied to select those farmers who were growing both maize and potato in the study area. In this way, total of 240 farmers from selected villages were randomly chosen for collecting primary data through a well-structured interview schedule. Study findings revealed that all of the respondents applied basic necessary inputs and used local techniques for growing maize and potato. Net revenue calculated was higher for potato as compared to maize due to better market income form potato crop. Cost benefit analyses were performed to investigate the profitability comparison between the two tested crops. Results showed that potato had higher productivity and gave more benefit to the growers in shape of money as compared to maize. Therefore, majority of the respondents allocated more land to potato crop. It is established that potato was more profitable crop among the farmers in the study area. It is recommended that extension department should disseminate modern farming techniques and provide timely information and trainings to potato growers. Government should subsidise farming inputs and facilitate potato growers in local markets in order to encourage them for getting more net return.