ECONOMIC EVALUATION OF PALM PRODUCTION IN PROJECTS OF YOUNG GRADUATES IN NEW LANDS

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Cent. Lab. for Design & Stat. Analysis Res., ARC, Giza, Egypt

Abstract

The study aims at estimating internal rate of return for the cultivation of date palms project in the new lands to encourage small investors and young graduates, to adopt projects of sustainable agricultural development under the assumption of change revenues and invested costs of the project. Also, explaining some productivity and economic indicators to produce dates in Egypt. The study showed that palm area, number of fruitful palms, palm productivity and the total production of dates annually increase at significant rates during the period of 1996 - 2010. The most important regions producing dates are Behera, Ismailia, 6 October, Aswan, New Valley, Matrouh and Noubaria zone. The
most important cultivated varieties are Zaghloul, Samani, Meghal and Siwei. The study indicated that internal rate of return in the new lands as in Northern Sinai, Matrouh and the New Valley reached 28%. It was observed that decreasing total revenue up to 25% with increasing investment costs up to 25%, the internal rate of return is not less than 18%. So, cultivation of date palms is economically a profitable project. Thus, this project contributes to the horizontal agricultural expansion, reducing desertification, encourages some industries related to palm cultivation, creates new jobs, increases date export opportunities to overseas markets and increases agricultural income. Also, profits gained by young graduates are sufficient to pay annual premiums of received loans in addition to the interest of these loans, so that the left return is enough for their livelihood.
 

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