ESTIMATION OF INDIVDUAL DEMAND  FUNCTION OF WATERMELON IN IRAQ (1985- 2009 )

R. AL-Huseny, Zuhal

	ESTIMATION OF INDIVDUAL DEMAND FUNCTION OF WATERMELON IN IRAQ (1985- 2009 )
The Iraqi Journal of Agricultural Science
Article 1, Volume 43, Issue 2, 2013, Pages 75-87
Author
Zuhal R. AL-Huseny
Abstract
Demand for most agricultural products is increasing continuously as a result of economic and social transformation. On other hand domestic production does not respond to meet this demand . The aim of this research is to estimate individual demand for an important summer vegetable crop in Iraq which is watermelon. The results showed that the average consumption per capita of watermelon was recording a negative rate of growth of -4% for the period 1985-2009. The results also showed that the most important factors affecting consumptional demand for watermelon for the same period were retail price for the crop and the average prices of vegetable crops as substitutes. On other hand the results showed that the effect of average per capita income on quantity consumed was very low and it was statistically insignificant. The value of time coefficient indicated a negative rate of growth in demand with time which means that the consumers tastes decreased as an affecting factor in crop demand. The independent variables explained 71% of total changes in consumed quantities on Iraq level for the whole period. The results showed that the values of price elasticity of demand, cross elasticity, and income elasticity were -0.71, 0.97 and 0.01 respectively. The research had arrived to some recommendations such as crop support through fertilizers and pesticides subsidies and extension and to supply subsidies improved seeds .

Statistics Article View: 56 PDF Download: 38