Analysis of Costs of Inputs for Sunflower Production at Mkalama District in Tanzania

Abstract

The paper analysed the input costs on the sunflower production at Mkalama district in Singida region using variables prices of fertilizer,  plough, pesticide, land hired per acre, labour hired, hoe, improved seed (50kg) and Local seed (50kg). For this aim, descriptive statistics  and an econometric analysis was conducted in 120 randomly selected sunflower farmers in Mkalama district. Descriptive statistics and  OLS regression model were used to analyze the extent of input costs on the sunflower production by respondents. The results revealed  that fertilizer, plough, labour hired and Local seed (50kg) inputs had the highest average total cost of inputs. The results of econometric  model showed that fertilizers, ploughs, pesticides, land hired per acre, hoes and improved seed (50kg) were the most important inputs,  significantly contributed to total production of sunflower seeds; While, the use of labour hired and Local seed (50kg) has negative relationship with output of sunflower. The paper found out that price per bag of fertilizer, price per plough, price per pesticide and price  per acre of land hired are positive and statistically significant influence on the sunflower production (Beta= 0.535, 0.302, 0.502, 0.197,  P>0.001). The paper concluded that major problems confronting sunflower production were found to be inputs cost which always affects  the yield of sunflower. This paper recommended that the Government of Tanzania should enhance the productivity of the agricultural  sector through the subsidies provision of the required inputs, which would minimize the total cost of production and speed up the  productivity process of sunflower in Tanzania.