Comparative Advantage of Farm Crops in Fars Province of Iran

Bahaeddin. Najafi, Ph. D.       Afrasiab Mirzaei, M. A.

 

COMPARATIVE ADVANTAGE / FARM CROPS / DRC / SBC / FARS PROVINCE / IRAN

With respect to importance of farm crops in Fars province, this study was conducted to determine the comparative advantage of farm crops. The data were mainly obtained from Ministry of Agriculture, Central Bank of Iran and World Bank resources. To determine the Comparative advantage of products two approaches namely, “Domestic Resource Cost” and “Social Benefit Cost” were used.

The results of the study revealed that four crops, namely, rain-fed wheat, barley, sugar beet and sunflower had least comparative advantage. On the other hand, tomato, cucumber, potatoes and irrigated lentil had the most comparative advantage. Comparing the current cultivated areas of the crops with their comparative advantage ranking indicated that those crops, which their prices were relatively more stable had more conformity with their comparative advantage ranking. Finally, to bring about more conformity of cultivated areas of crops with their comparative advantages, some recommendations are made.