Costs and Returns to Potassium Fertilizer Application in Melon (Egusi) Seed Yield and Oil Production

Abstract

Cost-Benefit analysis was carried out on the responses of economic yield attributes of melon (egusi) to potassium (K) application rates over three years. The Value-Cost ratio (VCR) was determined at the unsubsidized and subsidized prices of muriate of potash (MOP) fertilizer. Returns to seed yield were positive in 2006 and 2007 due to significant agronomic responses to K application. The 20 kg K.ha^-1 rate resulted in highest profitability of ?3.93 and ?7.51 in 2006 and 2007 for every ?1.00 invested in subsidized MOP and which reduced to ?3.01 and ?6.77 without subsidy, respectively. Incremental oil yield rose with K rates but did not attain financial profitability in all the years. Shelling to remove the seed coat was the most labour intensive which increased processing cost. The need to increase seed efficiency in egusi and develop more efficient processing were discussed

Keywords: egusi, seed, egusi oil, response coefficient, Value-Cost ratio