Profitability Study of Hibiscus sabdariffa L. Production around Wendo Genet District, Ethiopia

Abstract

Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) belongs to the family Malvaceae, locally called “karkade”, is an important annual crop grown successfully in tropical and sub-tropical climates. It takes five months from planting to harvesting. This study aims to examine financial feasibility and to determine associated costs and benefits from the production of Hibiscus sabdariffa at Wondo Genet. Two varieties of Hibiscus sabdariffa (WG-Hibiscus-Jamaican and WG-Hibiscus-Sudan) was planted on an area of 100m2 on experimental field with two replications using direct sawing on field and seedling preparation on nursery for determination of costs and returns. The spacing between plants and between rows was 60cm (60cm x60cm). Simple cost accounting method was employed to examine cost benefit of the plant. Net benefit and BCR of hibiscus production was used to determine profitability. The result shows that Production cost of Sudan type hibiscus is almost similar to Jamaican type except harvesting and post harvesting management cost difference caused due to yield difference. However the production of Sudan hibiscus is more profitable both by direct sawing and preparing seedlings on nursery; the study also revealed that producing both type of hibiscus for calyx by direct sawing is more profitable than using seedling preparation on nursery. Generally the study shows production of both type of Hibiscus sabdariffa at wondogenet is profitable.