Contest || Farmer's Guide to Crop Costs and Profits

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Punjab, Pakistan applies different operations for different areas of the Punjab because of the climatic condition and kinds of soil. These are the main agricultural crops that are being produced in this province, include wheat, rice, cotton, sugar cane, maize and vegetables.. These crops have significant contribution to the economy and earnings of several millions inhabitants of the region

Where as, Wheat is on of the main productions crops of Punjab and is quite demanded due to its versatility. Agricultural yield in Punjab particularly of Wheat crops roughly fall in the range of 4.5 to 5.0 MT per hectare. They also pointed out that the market price of wheat depends either on production, supply or demand. Currently, price of wheat has been fluctuating and the current price of 40k/g bag ranges from Rs, 1500 to Rs, 2000.

Generally the cost of raising wheat in Punjab comes to somewhere near about Rs. 25000 while in some case it is even Rs.
30000 per hectare. These inputs would include the seed, fertilizer, pesticides, irrigation and other costs of producing the crop as well as the labor cost. Taking into account the average yield and the market price, the total revenue from cultivation of wheat varies from 100 000 Rs to 150 000 Rs per hectare conditioned by cost of production and the market situation.

Another important crop for Punjab and for the textile sector of Pakistan is cotton. The yields for cotton in this region are relatively low ranging from 1500 to 2000kg ha-¹. Cotton prices also vary; however, present day price is lying in the range of 10,000 to 12,000 Rs. to 40kg bale.

Sowing of cotton in Punjab can cost anywhere between Rs. 40,000 Rs. 45,000 per hectare. This range ranges from the costs of seed and pesticide and even the costs of the labor force that is used in this exercise. In view of the above results, it can be concluded that with an average yield, and in relation to the market price even taking into account the costs, the total profit from growing cotton reaches from 75000 to 115000 Rupees per hectare of land.

In particulars of sugarcane production Punjab stands among the top producers of the country. The general production of sugarcane is set at 60-70 tonnes per hectare. Currently, the market price of sugarcane in Punjab ranges from Rs. 90 to Rs. 110 per 40 kg quintal during the last couple of years.

The cost structure of the growing of sugarcane in Punjab may however differ according to the type of sugarcane variety and cost may range from Rs. 45000 to Rs.55000 per hectare. That is, costs may encompass seed, fertilizer, pesticides, water and man power for watering plants etc. The return of sugarcane farming, however, would lie between Rs. 80,000 to Rs. 130,000 per hectare for the overall yields and the market price per ton.

As for new farmers in Punjab, there are a few key preferences and recommendations that can be considered to ensure success in their agricultural ventures:

1. Diversification: Support new farmers to produce a variety of food items to reduce vulnerability resulting from change in climate, pests and market prices. This can also assist the farmers to take advantage of the different one season to another and demand better prices for crops.

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1. Precision agriculture: Application of light technologies such as soil moisture sensors to monitor the moisture level of soil and the drop irrigation and improvement in the application of GPS equipped farming tools to reduce waste of water, control on the cost and increase on yielding.

2. Sustainable farming practices: In order to enable new farmers to practice sustainable farming, students ought to be advised to circulate information on matters such as: crop rotation, integrated pest management, and practice conservation agriculture in order to address issues such as soil health, chemical fertilizers, and pesticides the environment.

3. Agribusiness linkages: Competitive linkages with the market may enable the new farmers improve on the flow of information on market prices, demand and market channels. That can help farmers decide how they will cultivate, and achieve better market prices.

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1. Education and training: Possible activities to be delivered in practice include attending such events as workshops, seminars, as well as training courses aimed directly at teaching modern methods and technologies of farming to the new farmers.

Thus it can be said that crops like wheat, rice, cotton, sugarcane and maize have a very great contribution in Punjab and Pakistan’s economy. That indicates the proper cost management and practicing better farming techniques are effective solutions for obtaining good crop yields and, in general, profitable plant growing despite the sometimes observed average yields and corresponding market prices. Therefore, this research points out that when Ellen Investment empowers young agriculturists through proper mentorship and training it will be able to make formidable entry in the sector and foster positive change within the region.