Cashflow WATERMELON

WATERMELON or Tembikai (Citrullus lunatus) was grown in Malaysia as popular commodity with about 11,750 hectare in 2010. Annual production in this year estimated about 239,050 metric ton and for domestic also export commodity. The main watermelon production area was in Daerah Rompin Pahang (2,543 ha), Daerah Kluang Johor (1,119 ha) and Daerah Mersing Johor (828 ha). Among popular watermelon variety grown in Malaysia was New Dragon, Emperor, Flower Dragon, Hitam Manis (S108), Black Gold (With Seed variety).Seedless variety such as Fengshan No 1, Ming Hwa, Gold Rush 1663, Felicity Orchid Sweet, Sin Foon, Quality, seedless No 1 and Seedless Superstar. Main target for watermelon production is for export to Hong Kong, China, Middle East and Singapore.

Planting distance : 0.75m x 5.5m ( 0.75 - 1.2 m x 4.5 - 5.5 m)
Plant Density : 2,400 tree/ha
Cashflow duration : 65 - 75 days

Exchange Rate : 1 USD = RM 3.80

I. CASH IN FLOW:

1. Farm production of watermelon = 25,000 kg

2. Gross Farm Income @ RM 0.80/kg = RM 20,000.00

II. CASH OUT FLOW :

A. Initial Development Cost
i) Drainage and Infra = RM 1,200.00
ii) Ploughing and bed preparation = RM 1,200.00
iii) Drip tape Irrigation system*** = RM 450.00
Subtotal 1 = RM 2,850.00

B. Cost of Input
1 Seedless Seed Red Variety = RM 390.00
2 Seedless seed variety (Yellow)= RM 65.00
3 Fertilizer(5 types):
a. GML for liming = RM 655.00
b. Organic manure = RM 4,250.00
c. NPK 12:12:17:2 = RM 1,100.00
d. NPK 15:15:15 = RM 1,092.00
e. Foliar Fertilizer = RM 92.00
4 Nursery

a Nursery Media = RM 52.00
b.Nursery Tray * = RM 120.00
5 Chemical for watermelon:
a. Fungicide (CH Benomyl) = RM 70.00
b. Fungicide (Mancozeb) = RM 50.00
c. Imidachloprid = RM 400.00
d Chlorpyrifos = RM 70.00
6 Plastic Silvershine 6' = RM 1,650.00
Subtotal 2 = RM 10,056.00


C. Labor Costs :

2 Nursery preparation = RM 30.00
3 Bed preparation & levelling = RM 120.00
4 Layering silver shine plastic & Hole= RM 180.00
5 Transplanting = RM 180.00
6 Watering = RM 300.00
7 Manuring =RM 360.00
8 Weed Control = RM 300.00
9 Pest & Disease Control & Foliar App. =RM 240.00
10 Pruning of unwanted shoots = RM 90.00
11 Assisted pollination =RM 150.00
12 Harvesting =RM 450.00
Subtotal 3 = RM 2,400.00


D. Miscellaneous Costs
1 Land Rent/ Tax = RM 166.00
2 Petrol = RM160.00
Subtotal 4 = RM 326.00

III.CASHFLOW ANALYSIS :

1. Main Total (1,2,3,4) = RM 15,632.00
2. Extra costs (at 5%) = RM 781.60
3. TOTAL COSTS OF PRODUCTION = RM 16,423.60
4. GROSS FARM INCOME = RM 20,000.00
5. NETT FAR INCOME = RM 3,586.40
6. BENEFIT COST RATIO = RM 1.22
7. BREAKEVEN POINT (RM/kg)= RM 0.66

*** : 5 Years
*** Drip tape and water pump (3 inch) = RM9000 / ha
* Input price at February 2010

By,
M Anem

Kuala Lumpur