Alaa Hamo*⁽¹⁾ Shabab Nasser⁽¹⁾ and Khaled Sultan⁽¹⁾

(1). Economic Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Damascus University. Damascus. Syria.                                                                                                                   (*Corresponding author: Eng.  Alaa hamo. E-Mail: alaasuliman@outlook.com).

Received: 29/02/2016                           Accepted: 06/04/2016

Abstract

This study aims to define the role of zero tillage (ZT) in economic return for the lentils in the regions of Al-Qamishli and Al-Malikiyah (Al-Hasakah governorate). All farmers who followed ZT system in these regions has been selected. Sample size amounted to 200 randomly selected farmers, of which 100 follow ZT system, and the other 100 follow traditional cultivation. The economic analysis depended on estimating the average production costs, and economic returns for growing seasons 2013/2014 and 2014/2015. The results showed that the production cost in ZT is less than the TC by 12%, estimated to 56024, 63982 SYP/ha respectively. The net profit of ZT was about 391986 SYP/ha on average, with 7958 SYP/ha greater than TC.  Moreover the average cost ZT compared to ZT has been reduced by 19.8%, estimated to 30 and 37 SYP/kg, respectively. The analysis showed that the ZT reduce the amount of fuel consumption, working hours, seeding rate and total cost by 67%, 56 %, 44%, 32%, respectively. While the yield has increased by 9%.  This study revealed that ZT achieved an economic return higher than TC by 12 %.

Keywords: Zero tillage (ZT), Traditional cultivation (TC), Production costs, Economic return, Rain-fed lentils.

Full paper in English: The Role of Zero Tillage in Economic Return of Rain-fed Lentils in Al-Qamishli and Al-Malikiyah (Al-Hasakah Governorate)