Physics Can Help the Economy Term Paper

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Under favorable market conditions of extensive shallow water tables and high population densities, the treadle pump has been adopted by over a million small farmers who produce mostly irrigated cereal crops; likewise, farmers in Bangladesh have increased annual gross incomes by approximately $100 according to a recent IDE publication (Perry & Dotson, 2005).

A study by the Horticultural Export Development Club indicates that several horticultural products being grown in Malawi are in high demand in European markets, particularly Germany, the United Kingdom, France and the Netherlands. These commodities include okra, beans, managementout, chilies, babycorn, sweet corn, asparagus, garlic, courgettes, aubergines (eggplant), sweet pepper, ginger, cherry tomato and mixed herbs; however, the production level of fruits and vegetables remains insufficient to meet domestic needs. The use of treadle irrigation pumps by Malawi farmers, though, has shown enormous promise by increasing the crop yields and profitability (Mataya & Tsonga, 1999).

According to a study by Mataya and Tsonga (1999), a large percentage of the vegetables grown in Malawi are cultivated in wetlands or riverbeds called "dambos"; the introduction of simple as well as more sophisticated irrigation techniques is one way to expand the production base of these commodities. Table 2 below shows the respective performance of several horticultural products with the use of treadle irrigation pumps. "Gross margins per hectare are generally extremely high and the responses to high levels of management are particularly impressive" (emphasis added) (p. 27).

Table 2. Respective Performance of Selected Malawian Horticultural Products Using Treadle Irrigation Pumps.

Gross margin/ha

(k/ha)

Return/unit variable cost

(percent)

Medium Management

High Level Management

Medium

Management

High Level Management

Tomatoes

66,973.2

226,254.0

4.4

10.5

Cabbage 35,997.

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2

71,997.2

5.5

10.0

Lettuce

17,372.4

32,984.8

3.6

5.7

Cauliflower

69,592.4

118,317.2

13.9

18.7

Onion

33,047.2

103,047.2

2.9

7.1

Snap bean

13,243.6

29,243.6

2.2

3.7

Green pea

39,164.9

85,660.5

4.6

7.0

Leaf mustard

43,084.8

71,422.0

7.2

9.3

Green maize

20,659.9

35,659.9

5.8

9.2

Sweet potato

35,000.0

110,000.0

3.3

8.3

Egg plant

43,192.4

135,192.4

10.0

29.1

Source: Based on data in Mataya & Tsonga, 1999, p. 27.

The results of this study showed that tomatoes, turmeric, egg plants, cauliflower, broccoli, sweet potatoes, and onions, with gross margins per hectare of K226,254, K179,202, K135,192, K118,317, K117,542, K110,000, and K103,047, respectively, achieved the most efficient yields with high levels of management; medium levels of management found cauliflower (K69,592), tomatoes (K66,973), broccoli (K54,592), cucumber (K53,844), turmeric (K46,076), egg plants (K43,192), leaf mustard (K43,084.80) and pumpkin (K42,289) the most profitable horticultural crops (Mataya & Tsonga, 1999). These authors also found that returns per unit of variable cost were also highest with eggplants, cauliflower, broccoli, pumpkin, cucumber and sweet pepper at high levels of management, whereas those of cauliflower, broccoli, eggplants, cucumber, leaf mustard and sweet pepper were highest at medium levels of management. Although the returns per unit area were found to be superior to other irrigation methods and management techniques, overall production remains low, scattered and uncoordinated, and the country continues to be unable to satisfy both local and international demand (Mataya & Tsonga, 1999).

Summary

The research showed that treadle pumps are relatively simple and inexpensive irrigation pumps that have been used on a commercial basis throughout Africa and Asia in increasing numbers in recent years. The research also showed that such low-tech initiatives are better suited.....

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