Comparative analysis of cost and benefit: bell pepper produced under protected agriculture and open field conditions in Sri Lanka

Abstract

Bell pepper (Capsicum annum L.) is one of the well-known high valued crops, consume as a condiment for use by fast-food chains. The economically vital part of this crop is sought as a major ingredient for the manufacture of premium cuisines such as salads, stews, salsa, and pizzas. Consumers enjoy this fruit because it provides vitamin A, vitamin C, potassium, as well as a healthy dosage of fiber, folate, and iron [1]. The fresh yellowish and greenish bell peppers have export potential. As a result, it is regarded as one of the country's potential crops for boosting economic growth. In the Sri Lankan context, bell pepper is extensively grown in wet and intermediate zones under control environmental conditions with temperature 21 0C to 25 0C, relative humidity (>70%), proper air circulation within the crop canopies and the optimal supply of nutrient solutions to the root zone [2]. Therefore, the bell pepper producers require expensive structural facilities with sophisticated set-ups were known as Protected Agriculture System (PAS). However, the high initial cost for the construction of this protected system causing a the high degree of uncertainty for small and middle scale farmer efforts towards the cultivation of bell pepper. In this regard, the dry zone of Sri Lanka has enormous potential for growing various types of vegetables as it conceives large the extent of arable land and cheap labor force compared to wet and intermediate zones. A pioneer study confirmed that certain varieties of bell pepper can be successfully grown under open field conditions [4] with the required conventional farming practices. Therefore, it is necessary to investigate the cost-benefit analysis of bell pepper produced in such open field conditions. Therefore, this study aims to compare the gross margin and Benefit-Cost Ratio (BCR) of bell pepper produced under PAS and open fields in the dry zone of Sri Lanka (OFDZ).