Econometric modeling and sensitivity analysis of costs of inputs for sunflower production in Iran

The main objectives of the present study were to estimate the relationship between input costs and the yield value of sunflower production and to analyze the sensitivity of inputs on yield. For these purposes, an economical analysis was conducted in 95 randomly selected sunflower farms in Golestan province, the main center of oilseed production in Iran. The results revealed that land, human labor and machinery inputs had the highest share from total cost of production. Also, the benefit to cost ratio and productivity were calculated as 1.13 and 1.98 kg $¹, respectively. The results of econometric model development showed that human labor, machinery, chemicals, chemical fertilizer and water for irrigation were the most important inputs, significantly contributed to yield; while, the use of farmyard manure, seed and land inputs was inconsistent with output. Moreover, the sensitivity analysis revealed that water for irrigation, machinery and chemical fertilizer input costs had the highest marginal physical productivity and consequently the strong influence on the output variable; so that, an additional utilize of 1 $ of each of the cost of these inputs would result in increase in yield by 0.62, 0.28 and 0.12 kg, respectively.