Gross Income and Profitability of Onion Production in Trincomalee District

Abstract

Red onion plays a vital role in the diet of Sri Lankan and is a high value cash crop of the dry and intermediate zone. Major red onion growing areas are Jaffna, Vavuniya, Mullaitivu, Trincomalee and Puttalam. This study was designed to analyze gross income, profitability of red onion cultivation and to determine the factors affecting gross income/crop value of onions in Kuchchaveli DS division, Trincomalee District. Simple random sampling technique was used to draw the sample. Data were collected through pre tested questionnaires and were analyzed for frequencies, cross tabulations and regression analysis. The average area of land cultivated by an onion farmer was 1.68 acres. A Cobb Douglas production function was applied to find the factors affecting the crop value of onions in both seasons. Planting material and marketed quantity had significant effects on crop value of red onions in Maha.