International Journal of Horticulture, 2025, Vol.15, No.6, 299-311 http://hortherbpublisher.com/index.php/ijh 306 overall, with small producers averaging 226,641 NRs/ha (SD = 83,901.62) and large producers at 151 225 NRs/ha (SD = 35,366.01). Benefits averaged 100,523 NRs/ha (SD = 77,747.09) overall, with small producers averaging 82,257 NRs/ha (SD = 88,574.74) and large producers averaging 123,355 NRs/ha (SD = 54,539.54). The Benefit-Cost (BC) Ratio was 1.62 (SD = 0.54) overall, with small producers at 1.41 (SD = 0.49) and large producers at 1.89 (SD = 0.50) showing significant difference. The total cost showed significant differences at the 1% level, benefits at the 5% level, and returns at the 10% level, while production quantities were not statistically significant. Table 5 Solo potato production between small and large producers Variables Overall (N=90) Small producer (N=50) Large producer (N=40) Mean difference t-value p-value Solo potato production (kg) 4216 (1465.91) 4452 (1824.46) 3922 (749.61) -529.57** -1.72 0.089 Solo potato Return (NRs/ha) 293646 (99757.64) 308899 (123893.77) 274580 (52473.30) -34318.95* -1.63 0.105 Solo total cost (NRs/ha) 193123 (76445.36) 226641 (83901.62) 151225 (35366.01) -75416.58*** -5.31 0.001 Solo benefits (NRs/ha) 100523 (77747.09) 82257 (88574.74) 123355 (54539.54) 41097.62*** 2.59 0.012 BCRatio 1.62 (0.54) 1.41 (0.49) 1.89 (0.50) 0.47*** 4.47 0.001 Note: *, **, *** indicates significant at 10%, 5%, 1% level respectively For maize production, the overall average was 4,636 kg (SD=1,963.68), with small producers averaging 4,630 kg (SD=2,195.85) and large producers at 4,643 kg (SD=1,655.73), showing no significant difference (p=0.977) (Table 6). In contrast, mixed potato production had an overall average of 4,718 kg (SD=2,936.22), with small producers at 5,428 kg (SD=3,770.23) and large producers at 3,831 kg (SD=601.41); this difference was significant. Table 6 Maize and mixed potato production between small and large producers Variables Overall (N=90) Small producer (N=50) Large producer (N=40) Mean difference t-value p-value Maize production (kg) 4636 (1963.68) 4630 (2195.85) 4643 (1655.73) 12..31 0.02 0.977 Mixed potato production (kg) 4718 (2936.22) 5428 (3770.23) 3831 (601.41) -1597.06*** -2.64 0.001 Potato return (NRs/ha) 330300 (205535.47) 379986 (263916.12) 268192 (42098.93) -111749.8*** -2.64 0.010 Mixed maize return (NRs/ha) 278172 (117820.87) 277844 (131751.58) 278583 (99343.84) 739.02 0.29 0.977 Mixed benefits (NRs/ha) 379915 (238739.91) 389911 (307945.91) 367420 (103126.20) -22491.06 -0.44 0.660 Mixed total cost (NRs/ha) 228557 (91591.87) 267919 (102234.49) 179355 (39282.02) -88564.7*** -5.17 0.001 BCRatio 2.77 (0.88) 2.4 (0.87) 3.15 (0.75) 0.66*** 3.81 0.001 Note: *, **, *** indicates significant at 10%, 5%, 1% level respectively For potato returns, the overall average was 330,300 NRs/ha (SD=205,535.47), with small producers averaging 379,986 NRs/ha (SD=263,916.12) and large producers at 268,192 NRs/ha (SD=42,098.93), also showing significant difference. Mixed maize returns had an overall average of 278,172 NRs/ha (SD=117,820.87), with small producers at 277,844 NRs/ha (SD=131,751.58) and large producers at 278,583 NRs/ha (SD=99,343.84), showing no significant difference (p=0.977). The mixed benefits averaged 379,915 NRs/ha (SD=238,739.91), with small producers at 389,911 NRs/ha (SD=307,945.91) and large producers at 367,420 NRs/ha (SD=103,126.20), which was not significant (p=0.660). The mixed total cost averaged 228,557 NRs/ha (SD=91,591.87), with small producers at 267,919 NRs/ha (SD=102,234.49) and large producers at 179,355 NRs/ha (SD=39,282.02), showing significant difference.
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