PESHAWAR, April 30: The climatic zones in the NWFP have comparative advantage in producing variety of off-season vegetables which gives 15 times higher net returns compared to produce of normal season vegetables.

It was revealed in a study conducted by three agriculture researchers — Shaukat Hayat Sadozai, Mohammad Ishaq and Ghulam Sadiq — affiliated with Social Sciences Division of Pakistan Agriculture Research Council (Parc), Islamabad.

The study was conducted to assess returns to the farmers from Tinda and cucumber produced as off-season crops.

During the study it was fond that cucumber produced in the off-season gives 15 times higher net returns compared to the produce of normal season.

Regarding tinda, it was assessed that produce of off-season gives five times higher net returns compared to that of normal season.

The researchers also study few cases of normal season Tinda and cucumber for the purpose of comparison.

Total cropped area of NWFP is 2.08 million hectare and area under vegetables is 20,800 hectares, which is one per cent of the total cropped area.

According to the study, district Nowshera is one of the major vegetable growing areas in NWFP. Besides the normal vegetable crops, the trend of growing off-season vegetables in the surroundings of Akora Khattak is very common.

Although, growing vegetables in the off-season is difficult due to unfavourable environmental conditions, but the farmers of the area make it possible by the use of plastic tunnel technology and get higher returns.

The area farmers can grow various vegetables using this technology but they prefer to grow tinda and cucumber on a larger scale.

The study reflected that the total cost estimated for producing tinda on one acre was Rs51,760.

The gross income from raising one acre of tinda in the off-season was estimated at Rs146,397 with the production of 19,918kg. After subtracting costs incurred on various inputs, the net revenue comes to Rs87,837.

The total cost of producing cucumber on per acre basis was estimated at Rs55,908. Of this, 60 per cent accounted for production cost, 28 per cent for marketing and 12 per cent rent of land share cropping.

The gross income from raising one acre of cucumber was estimated at Rs128,210 with the production of 14,822kg. After deducting total cost incurred on various inputs, the net revenue comes at Rs72,302.

The researchers were of the view that these returns could be further increased by eliminating the problems faced by the farmers identified during the survey.

It included non-availability of quality seed and its higher prices which is the most serious issue restraining the area farmers.

As the present government gives top priority to develop agriculture sector by launching different schemes, therefore, the researchers recommended to the policy makers involved in agriculture research and development to improve the off-season vegetable status in the province.

The researchers suggested that efforts should be made for the production of hybrid seeds of different vegetables within the country and its availability at the doorstep of farmers must be ensured.

Moreover, awareness be created among the vegetables growers in other areas of similar climate in the province to adopt off-season vegetable growing. Measures should be adopted by the researchers to control the losses occurred by disease and pest attack, the study concluded. —APP