Abstract:
The economic benefit of land reclamation was appraised in a 2-ha floodplain farm by comparing irrigation cost, land preparation charges and vegetable yield before and after reclamation. 99% of the time was saved in land preparation and 25% in irrigation with corresponding reductions of 85% and 50% as cost of land preparation and irrigation, respectively. Vegetable yield also increased by 53% as a result of increase in cropped area, convenient application of cultural operation and optimization of mechanization possibilities. A benefit cost ratio (CBR) of 1.73 was recorded, but when cost of soil replacement was added to the overall cost, the CBR reduced to 0.60, a 65% reduction in the economic benefit of the farm enterprise and a confirmation that neglect Mining operators to reclaim mined lands in conformity with the mineral Act, is negatively affecting farm enterprise returns.
