Comparative Cost - Benefit Analysis Of Fresh And Seed Okro Production At Kpando In The Volta Region

ABSTRA CT Okro is an important crop in the diet o f many Ghanaians and the economy o f Ghana. Fresh okro contains some amount o f protein, carbohydrates, vitamins A and C w ith traces o f B vitamins, as well as calcium phosphorus and iron. The problems o f removal o f subsidies on agricultural inputs, poor market price o f fresh okro, and nematode problem had resulted in low net income from fresh okro enterprise. Although Ghana has a high potential o f producing both fresh and seed okro, m ost farmers are currently in the production of fresh okro. Farmers take into consideration the relative profitability o f alternative enterprises open to them before selecting those to invest in. This present study compares the costs and benefits as well as the profitability o f fresh and seed okro production. Data were collected through the use o f structured questionnaires administered to ninety farmers. The profitability o f the enterprises were compared, using net income, benefit-cost ratio, and return on sale concepts. Sensitivity analysis was carried out to take care o f risk and uncertainties on the conclusions drawn on the acceptability o f the enterprises. The study revealed that fresh production cost lesser than seed okro production per unit. Although both fresh and seed okro production are profitable, seed okro production is more profitable than fresh okro in the rainy season. Dry season fresh okro fruits production reaps higher returns than rainy season fresh okro fruits production. Major constraints in okro production are attributed to increasing pests and diseases, high cost o f agro-chemical and poor market price. In the light o f the above find in gs o f the present study, it was recommended that extension education be intensified eradicate the major constraints to okro production so as to increase the net income.