ESTIMATING THE DIFFERENCES IN PROFITABILITY OF SELECTED VEGETABLES: A DUMMY VARIABLE APPROACH

Dummy variable technique was used to find out the statistical significance a/the per acre net revenue/romgrowing potato, tomato and cauliflower in district Mansehra during 2004. A total 90 respondents having 30growers each a/the 3 vegetables were randomly selected/rom the major vegetable growing areas a/the district/orthe survey. After analyzing the data the results show that potato is the most profitable vegetable followed by tomatoand cauliflower with net revenue 0/Rs. 22029, Rs.19998 and Rs.16558, respectively on per acre basis. Though thereseems apparent difference in the net revenues 0/potato, tomato and cauliflower but the one between potato andtomato is not statistically significant; suggesting that given the cost and prices stru cture 0/ the area, the growerstechnically are indifferent in choosing to grow potato or tomato for higher profitability. As high quality potato seedis costly and contributes to about 30-40% 0/ the total cost a/production in Pakistan, there/ore it is recommendedthat those growers who are unable to get quality potato seed due to non availibity or high price they should growtomato having lesser nursery cost and almost the same return as that a/potato.