Investigating the comparative advantage of bean production in Zanjan province

Document Type : Research Paper

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Abstract

This research was carried out in Zanjan province in order to study the comparative advantage of bean production. Required data were obtained through a survey research by interviewing 54 bean producers in the main regions of bean production in the province and completing pre-structured questionnaires during 2002-2003 crop years. Comparative advantage was calculated using Domestic Resource Cost (DRC), Social Cost Benefit (SCB) and Net Social Profitability (NSP) indicators using two absolute and relative Power Purchasing Parity (PPP) scenarios. In both scenarios, values of the DRC and SCB were calculated to be less than one and NSP to be greater than zero. Results indicated that Zanjan province has comparative advantage in bean production. Therefore, it is suggested that bean production in Zanjan province should be targeted to support so that the bean producers be able to compete worldwide in planning to join the World Trade Organization (WTO).

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