Showing 1 results for Forage.
Mahmoud Mohammad Ghasemi, Ahmad Ghasemi, Mohammad Elias Karim,
Volume 14, Issue 52 (9-2025)
Abstract
Objective: This study evaluates the economic performance of newly introduced tropical forage varieties, including alfalfa, in the rural regions of Sistan, specifically in Molla Hossein village of Zahak County and Molla Ebrahim village of Hamun County, during the two agricultural years 2021–2023.
Methods: The research is applied in purpose and descriptive–analytical in nature. The economic evaluation of the new forage varieties was first conducted using financial analysis, followed by economic engineering techniques and standard criteria such as Net Present Value (NPV) and Benefit–Cost Ratio (BCR). Finally, a multi-criteria decision-making technique based on the Grey System was employed from the perspective of local farmers.
Results: Results revealed that the NPV of the new tropical forage varieties was 1,023,516 IRR higher in financial analysis compared with economic analysis. Furthermore, the BCR of alfalfa varieties Omid, Baghdadi, and the locally purified Zabol line was 3.87, 3.89, 5.37, 4.7, and 3.89, respectively. The positive benefit–cost ratios confirm their economic feasibility and potential to enhance crop diversification and household income. In terms of average forage yield, the Omid variety ranked first, with fresh and dry forage yields of 107.589 t/ha and 28.323 t/ha, respectively. It was followed by Baghdadi (103.513 t/ha fresh; 26.419 t/ha dry) and the locally purified Zabol line (102.463 t/ha fresh; 27.322 t/ha dry). From the farmers’ perspective, multi-criteria decision-making analysis indicated that the most influential criteria in prioritizing forage cultivation were: increased productivity and irrigation efficiency, drought resistance, higher income generation, improved quality of life, rural retention, and enhanced employment.
Conclusions: Given the results obtained under the hot and arid experimental conditions, a significant portion of Sistan’s agricultural lands and similar agro-climatic regions can be allocated to alfalfa cultivation, particularly the Omid, Baghdadi, and the locally purified Zabol line varieties. Such an initiative would contribute substantially to crop diversification, income enhancement, and rural employment creation.
