Contribution of Garcinia kola to the Productivity and Economic Profitability of the Community Agricultural Area of Kedougou: Financial and Comparative Analysis of Production Factors

Inland fishing predominates in the Kedougou region, which has no coastline. This type of fishing does not yet meet the local population’s demand for fish products. In response to this concern, a Community Agricultural Estate housing an integrated fish farm was set up in the commune of Bandafassi, in the village of Itato. Since its creation, this production unit has been faced with the problem of sourcing high-quality, low-cost, monosex male Oreochromis niloticus fry. In order to overcome this constraint, the present research focuses on the contribution of Garcinia kola to the productivity and economic profitability of the Itato farm. The aim of the research is to assess fish production in the experimental set-up and the production costs of tilapia in a controlled environment. The comparative study of the various production factors shows disparities only in the input factor, where scenarios 2 and 3 use additional products. These are 17-α-methytestosterone for scenario 2 and Garcinia kola for scenario 3. These products significantly interfere with fish production, with a fairly high mortality rate for scenario 2 (25% for two production cycles/ cohort2 (B5, B6, B7 and B8) treated with 17-α-methytestosterone). As for scenarios 1 and 3, mortalities are 5% with or without recourse to additional products (G. kola). In addition, average fish production for the three (03) scenarios is estimated at 28687.5 kg/2 cycles. It varies from one scenario to another, i.e. 30937.5 kg/2 cycles for scenarios 1 and 3 and 24187.5 kg/2 cycles for scenario 2. It is therefore higher in scenarios 1 and 3 than in scenario 2. This difference is due to the fairly large losses of individuals in scenario 2. Furthermore, the analysis of the profit and loss accounts for tilapia production varies from one scenario to another depending on the type of farm: 476 Franc CFA for scenario 1, 610 Franc CFA for scenario 2 and 472 Franc CFA for scenario 3 (F CFA = franc of the French Colonies of Africa). The Average operating income for all the fish farming units is 34,726,142 Franc CFA. The highest (41,638,075 Franc CFA) and lowest (29,281,075 Franc CFA) ERs were observed in scenarios 3 and 2 respectively. It was 33,259,275 Franc CFA for scenario 1. The difference between the NERs of the three scenarios is more or less significant in terms of results. The operating result (OR) is positive in all 3 scenarios in our study. However, the scenario 3 system generates a higher rate of return (the ratio between an income and the capital employed to obtain that income) (74%) than that generated by the scenario 1 system (69%). As for the scenario 2 system, it generates a lower financial return than the two previous systems (67%). Above all, this work made it possible to construct an approach that would make it possible to answer such a question by relying successively on various methods: a typology, according to the production factors involved in the operation of the Community Agricultural Estate fish farm.

Size matters:analyzing bank profitability and efficiency under the Basel III framework

The latest regulatory framework,which has been introduced globally in the form of Basel III,and its implementation in the legislation of the member states of the Euro-pean Union has generated much interest in the impact of regulation on the efficiency and profitability of banks.This study aims to examine the impact of the introduction of two major regulatory changes(Basel II and Basel III)on bank performance,in terms of bank size and bank-specific and macroeconomic variables.A two-stage empirical anal-ysis was conducted on a sample of 433 European commercial banks over the 2006–2015 period.In the first stage,relative efficiency was calculated using non-parametric data envelopment analysis.In the second stage,the generalized method of moments was used to examine the impact of bank-specific and macroeconomic variables as well as regulation on bank performance,that is,profitability and efficiency.Consider-ing bank size,the results show a diverse impact of regulation on bank performance.Regarding large-and medium-sized banks,regulation positively affects both efficiency and profitability,whereas,for small banks,it negatively affects performance.The results suggest that larger banks have skillfully adapted to the new regulatory environment.In contrast,small banks have problems with profitability and efficiency because the new regulatory framework has imposed additional administrative and regulatory burdens.This could result in future failure or mergers with larger banks,resulting in a higher concentration in the banking sector and increased systemic risk.Our results strongly suggest that regulation should not be implemented equally for all banks;that is,on a one size fits all terms.A distinction between small and large banks when introducing new regulatory frameworks should be made if a reasonable level of competition is to be preserved.

Profitability Level and Determinants of Tea Intercropping in Taraba State

Intercropping involves the cultivation of more than one crop on a plot of land at a particular time.Tea intercropping with other crops can increase the profitability of farmers and the development of tea plants.The study estimated the profitability level of intercropped tea farms and determined the factors affecting the profitability of tea intercropping systems in the study area.Information was obtained from two hundred and four tea farmers using a well-structured questionnaire.The analytical techniques used in the study were descriptive analysis and linear regression.The results revealed that the majority(95.6%)of the farmers are from Kakara and Nyiwa towns.There are few(2.9%)women involved in tea farming in Taraba State.29%of the tea farmers are young less than 30 years and old above 60 years.Fifteen percent of the farmers are single,83.8%are married and 1.5%are divorced.About 40%of the tea farmers had no formal education,21%have between 1-6 years of education,19%had 7-12 years of education and 21%had greater than 12 years of education.The gross margin is N289,900,581.9 and the gross margin per farmer is N1,421,081.28.The net income is N2,879,055,533.3 and the net income per farmer is N1,411,301.63.The amount of profit tea farmers make in Taraba State is N1,425,001 and the profit per farmer is N6,985.30.Labour costs(weeding,pruning,application of insecticide,watering)and cost of materials(cutlass,file,chemical,bag and others)are significant determinants of the profit level of the tea intercropping system in Taraba State.Tea intercropping farming is profitable in Taraba State Nigeria.

Experiences with Rice Grown on Permanent Raised Beds: Effect of Crop Establishment Techniques on Water Use, Productivity, Profitability and Soil Physical Properties

In recent years, conventional rice production technologies have been leading to deterioration of soil health and declining farm profitability due to high inputs of water and labor. Conservation agriculture （CA） based resource-conserving technologies i.e. zero-tillage （ZT）, raised-bed planting and direct-seeded rice （DSR） have shown promise as alternatives to conventional production technologies to overcome these problems. Present study was undertaken during 2009-2012 to establish an understanding of how permanent raised bed cropping system could be practiced to save water at the field application level to improve water productivity and also have the capability to enhance productivity, profitability and soil physical quality. The results showed that among different crop establishment techniques, conventional-tilled puddle transplanted rice （CT-TPR） required 14%-25% more water than other techniques. Compared with the CT-TPR system, zero till direct-seeded rice （ZT-DSR） consumed 6%-10%less water with almost equal system productivity and demonstrated higher water productivity. Wide raised beds saved about 15%-24% water and grain yield decrease of about 8%. Direct-seeded rice after ZT or reduced tillage or on unpuddled soil provided more net income than CT-TPR. The CT-TPR system had higher bulk density and penetration resistance due to compaction caused by the repeated wet tillage in rice. The steady-state infiltration rate and soil aggregation （〉 0.25 mm） were higher under permanent beds and ZT and lower in the CT-TPR system. Under CT-TPR, soil aggregation was static across seasons, whereas it improved under no-till and permanent beds. Similarly, mean weight diameter of aggregates was higher under ZT and permanent beds and increased over time. The study reveals that to sustain the rice productivity, CA-based planting techniques can be more viable options. However, the long-term effects of these alternative technologies need to be studied under varying agro-ecologies in western Uttar Pradesh, India.

Assessment of Profitability of Land Use Systems in Tanjung Jabung Barat District, Jambi Province, Indonesia

The purpose of the research was to compare the profitability of existing land uses in Tanjung Jabung Barat, Jambi province, Indonesia, for formulating a strategy to reduce emissions from deforestation and de-gradation (REDD). Net Present Value was used for comparing profits of different types of investment (e.g. different type of land use). Rapid Rural Appraisal was used to gather information on farm budget data for each land use, including prices, production, labor and other input. The results of the profitability analysis showed that all land uses, both on mineral soil and peat land, were profitable. Oil palm, both in large plantations and smallholder gardens, was the most profitable land-use system. However, the profitability of smallholder oil palm on peatland was lower than on mineral soils yet oil palm was still more competitive than rubber on mineral soils. The competitiveness of mixed gardens with oil palm was higher on peatland and the threat of converting other land uses to oil palm was higher on mineral soil than on peat. For crop systems, irrigated paddy had the highest profitability.

Entrepreneurial, institutional and financialstrategies for FinTech profitability

Notwithstanding the emergence of FinTech startups in the financial services industry,most of these companies face significant difficulties in breaking even and surviving.This study examines the main managerial, institutional, and financial drivers of FinTechprofitability and the time it takes for these firms to break even. The database includesrelevant qualitative factors, such as foundational characteristics, the technologicalprofile of the startup, and its funding structure. Using the full population of FinTechstartups operating in Spain from 2005 to 2017, we observe that most of these firms areunprofitable within three years of their inception. Combining panel data and survivalanalyses, we empirically find that large and solvent FinTech firms founded by singleentrepreneurs in an incubator or accelerator program are more likely to be profitableand prevail. FinTech firms reach their break-even points faster if they receive fundingthrough seed capital.

Competition and Profitability of Banks: Empirical evidence from the Middle East & North African (MENA) Countries

This paper uses generalized method of moments(GMM),Least Squares(LS)and Generalized Linear Model(GLM)to examine the impact of competition on profitability of banks and Stochastic Frontier approach(SFA)is used to estimate of cost efficiency.We have used an unbalanced panel dataset from a sample of emerging economic MENA countries over the period between 2011 and 2017.We find out that have a significant and negative impact of competition on profitability of banks.The empirical findings of this study suggest that(1)MENA banks should more improve the process of managing and monitoring the loan segment business;the result which reducing in the level of credit risk which leads to higher profitability(2)MENA banks should shrink higher level of banking sector development.(3)MENA banks should make full conduct of available funds to engage in various natures of businesses;if there is an issue of insolvency,robust government support would give protection to MENA banks.Finally,it also provides some compulsory policy implications which will be very much beneficial for a wide range of stakeholders.

Profitability analysis of a femtosecond laser system for cataract surgery using a fuzzy logic approach

AIM：To define the financial and management conditions required to introduce a femtosecond laser system for cataract surgery in a clinic using a fuzzy logic approach.METHODS：In the simulation performed in the current study,the costs associated to the acquisition and use of a commercially available femtosecond laser platform for cataract surgery（VICTUS,TECHNOLAS Perfect Vision GmbH,Bausch ＆ Lomb,Munich,Germany） during a period of 5y were considered.A sensitivity analysis was performed considering such costs and the countable amortization of the system during this 5y period.Furthermore,a fuzzy logic analysis was used to obtain an estimation of the money income associated to each femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery（G）. RESULTS：According to the sensitivity analysis,the femtosecond laser system under evaluation can be profitable if 1400 cataract surgeries are performed per year and if each surgery can be invoiced more than $500.In contrast,the fuzzy logic analysis confirmed that the patient had to pay more per surgery,between $661.8 and $667.4 per surgery,without considering the cost of the intraocular lens（IOL）.CONCLUSION：A profitability of femtosecond laser systems for cataract surgery can be obtained after a detailed financial analysis,especially in those centers with large volumes of patients.The cost of the surgery for patients should be adapted to the real flow of patients with the ability of paying a reasonable range of cost.

Impact of Alternative Raw Materials on the Profitability of a Large-Scale Bio-Coal Pellet Plant in Finland

The aim of this paper was to compare the annual economic impact of a large-scale bio-coal pellet plant by raw material specifically for the Finnish Lakeland region. In this study, the total production volume of the theoretical plant was 200,000 tons per year and the raw wood materials used were birch pulpwood, spruce pulpwood, pine pulpwood, and energy wood. These wood materials were young delimbed wood from early thinnings. The main goal of the paper was to illustrate that the energy content differences of raw wood materials affect the economic profitability of a bio-coal pellet plant at regional level. In this case, wood type also has a regional economic impact, which the pellet plant can influence through its raw wood material choices. The raw material comparison was based on measured data and not computational or literary data alone. The study found that lower solid wood energy densities caused higher relative costs for the total supply chain. A parallel phenomenon occurred with the required gross margin of the pellets, where lower energy content caused higher required gross margin for pellet sales. The gross margin was also sensitivity analyzed at different discount rates from 5% to 20%. At each required discount rate, the highest annual economic impact on the region was found for birch pellets, with values of 36.95 - 42.66 million €. Spruce pellets had the smallest annual economic impact, although it had the highest final pellet price in the same cases. The different economic effects were caused by the energy volumes sold.

Effects of Various Doses of Mineral Fertilizers(NPKS and Urea) on Yield and Economic Profitability of New Varieties of Zea mays L. in Faranah,Guinea

In Faranah Province （Guinea）, the ratio of supply and demand of corn is approximately 1 ： 2. The production is low and the deficit is covered by maize importation. This study was initiated in order to improve corn production by evaluating the effects of increasing doses of mineral fertilizers on the yield and economic profitability of corn. The experiment was conducted on a farm in Kamedankoude in a split plot with three replicates. Treatments included two varieties of maize （Perta and Kilissi113） and five doses of chemical fertilizers （D0=unfertilized control, Dl=300 kg NPKS＋200 kg urea. hm^2; D2=400 kg NPKS＋800 kg urea· hm^2; D3= 200 kg NPKS＋400 kg urea· hm^2 and D4=500 kg NPKS＋600 kg urea. hrn2）. The results showed that all the agronomic parameters increased with increasing dose of fertilizers, except for the number of ears per plant. The two varieties of corn tested produced similar yields. However, the profitability of mineral fertilizers decreased with increased doses and with value/cost ratio of 3. We recommended a mineral fertilizer dose of 300 kg NPKS ＋ 200 kg urea. The high prices of mineral fertilizers were often barriers to intensive maize cultivation, especially for low-income farmers. This study was a contribution to rational fertilization and adapted the socio-economic conditions of the region, with the background knowledge that most farmers in the regions earned low incomes.

Profitability of Improved versus Traditional Cultivation Practices for African Indigenous Vegetables

Vegetables are important for nutrition and income of rural and urban households.However,vegetable consumption in Uganda is below World Health Organization(WHO)recommended guidelines,partly due to low production.The persistent low production arises from poor cultivation methods,low soil fertility,poor quality seed,pests and diseases,among others.This study compared the profitability of improved cultivation methods for African indigenous vegetables(AIVs),i.e.,pure stand and in lines,versus traditional practice(mixing seeds of different AIVs then broadcast),both for leafy and seed production.The AIVs included:Nakati(Solanum aethiopicum L.),Bugga(Amaranthus blitum L.)and Jobyo(Gynadropsis gynandra L.),arranged in completely randomized(CR)design with three replicates.Results showed that Nakati was more profitable when grown for leafy compared to seed production with benefit:cost ratio(BCR)9.2 and 4.0 for leafy and seed,respectively.Bugga for seed was more profitable compared to leafy production(BCR 18.0 and 2.7 for seed and leafy,respectively).Growing Jobyo for seed was more profitable than leafy production(BCR 14.9,2.4 for seed and leafy,respectively).Growing indigenous vegetables(IVs)for seed in mixed broadcast system,out of the three IVs farmers stand to economically maximize benefits for one crop(BCR 0.9,1.7 and 10.2 for Bugga,Nakati and Jobyo,respectively)compared to pure stand and in lines(BCR 18.0,4.2 and 14.9 for Bugga,Nakati and Jobyo,respectively).Thus,famers stand to benefit more if they grow IVs as pure stand and in lines as opposed to mixed and broadcast,whether for leafy or seed production.

Growth Potential and Profitability Analysis of Insurance Companies in the Republic of Serbia

Economically developed countries hold much of its total wealth as financial savings, and they should faster experience higher rates of overall economic growth in the long run. Given the level of income made by economic entities and according to such correlation, their propensity to save can be generated. As a clear reflection of the development of the financial sector, insurance companies as financial intermediaries, through the mobilization of savings, contribute to the development of the entire financial sector. Analyzing the performance of insurance companies in Serbia, CARMEL method will be applied, which includes indicators for the presentation of quantitative criteria for the purpose of monitoring and analyzing the profitability of insurance companies consisting of a model that is the current methodology of the MMF. In addition to traditional financial instruments, derivative securities are traded in financial markets, promoting the development of financial markets, such as options, which are generators of potential growth of profitability. The aim of this paper is to show the growth potential of profitability in insurance companies, as well as decreasing risks which are connected to the business activities by the use of options.

Competitiveness and Profitability of Intercropping Sunflower with Peanut under Different Irrigation Water Levels and Potassium Fertilizer Rates

A two-year study was carried out at Ismailia Agricultural Research Station, Egypt during 2016 and 2017 summer seasons to evaluate competitive effects of intercropping sunflower and peanut under different drip irrigation water amounts and K fertilizer rates for increasing farmer profitability. Three irrigation amounts (70%, 100% and 120% ETo), three K fertilizer levels (57, 86 and 114 K2O kg/ha) and four intercropping patterns of sunflower and peanut (different spatial arrangements) were implemented. The experimental design was strip split plot with three replications. The results showed that there were no significant differences between 100% and 120% ETo on most of yield traits of the intercrops. The highest K fertilizer level had the highest values of most yield traits of the intercrops. The highest values of peanut and sunflower traits were obtained from intercropping sunflower with peanut, where peanut seeds were sown on both sides of all the raised beds, sunflower seeds were sown on one row above the raised beds and the following bed was left without intercropping (P1). Thus, to attain the highest yield of intercrops and water equivalent ratio (WER), the lowest competitive pressure and the highest farmer profitability, 120% ETo, 114 K2O kg/ha and P1 intercropping pattern should be implemented. This research found that the result of competitiveness was consistent with the result of profitability.

Factors affecting profitability of multi-finance company in Indonesia

The aim of this study is to examine the profitabilily of multi-finance companies. This study uses macroeconomic determinants and fundamental variables as factors that affected profitability. The samples of the study was multifinance company in Indonesia over period 2005-2007. The study uses an unbalanced panel data as a methodology. The result suggests that, the ownership of financial assets doesn＇t significantly affect multi-finance performances. This result indicates that multi-finance face difficult situation to generate profit from the credit given. And the result also suggests that all macroeconomic determinants affect multi-finance profitability, with more concern on inflation that have negative significant.

Profitability Analysis of Small Scale Irrigation Technology Adoption to Farmers in Nasho Sector, Rwanda

The study aims to assess the effect of small scale irrigation adoption to farmers in Nasho sector, Kirehe District in Rwanda. The average yield was 12,309.73 Kg/2.62 ha or 4698.73 Kg/ha for adopters with the mean difference between adopters and non adopters ranged from 2819.63 Kg to 4766.59 Kg per unit area of production. For food security status, the average mean quantity of maize consumed at home level was 615.54 Kg with the mean difference ranged from 377.29 Kg to 474.68 Kg. For market participation, the average treatment effect of the treated (ATT) of quantity of maize sold was 11,694.24 Kg while the mean difference ranged from 7165.98 Kg to 9015.60 Kg. The Average Treatment Effect of the Treated market price was 213 Frws/Kg while the mean difference ranged from 44.51 Frws/Kg to 48.3053 Frws/Kg. The Average Treatment Effect of the Treated of farmer’s revenues for the users was 938,772 Frws/ha, however, the mean difference between adopters and non adopters ranged from 1,732,942 Frws to 2,007,039 Frws. The Average Treatment Effect of the Treated of farmer’s net farm income was 1,066,393 Frws while mean difference between users and non users ranged from 803,967 Frws to 854,141 Frws. For profitability analysis, the cost benefit ratio (CBR) was taken into account. The total benefit per unit area was 2,434,509 Frws and total average mean cost of 1,382,313 Frws and CBR = 1.761 > 1. The findings of this study will help the policy makers for deeper sector planning and also, it will facilitate other stakeholders to invest in irrigation technology to improve the livelihoods of Rwandan farmers and other surroundings.

Profitability Prediction Model for NPD Projects Under RisK

Only a few successful new product development （NPD） projects are continuously supported by the firm when they are expected to assure profitability in the market. The profitability of a project is measured as profit ratio （PR）, the profit is divided by the cost. The profit figure is changed depending on either internal risks or uncertainties occurring externally. More risks require higher response costs to them and uncontrollable uncertainties affect NPD projects either positively or negatively. In this study, a PR model is developed to predict the profitability of a project at a given time. The model minimizes the response cost computed under two extreme response strategies, such as ＂Avoid＂ and ＂Acceptance＂ for the internal threats. Also, the model reflects the sales volume changes due to external uncertainties. The linear programming （LP） method determines the optimal probability of the response strategy under three scenarios of defining the relationship between risk avoidance and risk acceptance. It can be utilized to make a GO/NOGO decision on the project based on the prediction results at any gate of the NPD process. The solving procedure is provided to apply the developed model for real cases.

Changes in Profitability of Chicken Broiler Production in 2008-2013

The profitability of broiler chicken production depends on many interrelated factors, such as the size of the farm, farming system, the genetic potential, feed price and the quality of chicken meat obtained as a final product, e.g., meat, and a strategy of their sales on the domestic and foreign market. Economic analysis were conducted in randomly selected farms growing commercial broilers, from April 2008 to March 2013 （28 cycles all together）, at the same time in three buildings, with 46 thousands to 54 thousands one-day chickens. In the analyzed period, broilers were reared for 35-50 d. The average slaughter body mass ranged from 2.36 kg to 2.99 kg with feed conversion ratio （FCR） 1.68 kg of feed/kg of body weight gain to 1.78 kg of feed/kg of body weight gain. Stock mortality at that time ranged from 3.5% to 6.4%. On the basis of macroeconomic data, a clear relationship between the increase in the period particularly from 2004 onwards, prices of feed 33.6% and the purchase price of livestock 22.5% in the case of the evaluated farms were found. These values were 27.9% and 31.7%, respectively. From the analysis of the relationship between different types of broiler production costs, it was concluded that the main determinant of the profitability of live poultry production was the cost of feed and first of all was the prices of feed. This means that the boom in live poultry production is variable, resulting in consequences for production and income.

What Accounts for Rising Profitability of Chinese Industrial Enterprises?

Based on the latest data, this paper analyses the profitability status of Chinese enterprises and the reasons behind profitability. The authors hold that the profitability of Chinese industrial enterprises has improved significantly whilst the degree of monopolization and extent of entry barriers in the industrial sector has decreased. With the exception of a few resource and administrative monopolizing industries, the increasing profitability of Chinese enterprises indicates rising competitiveness. Improved management level, efficient assets operation, enhanced investment benefits and salary-transfer-profit are all contributing to the profitability of enterprises.

A system dynamics model for the assessment of the effects of advertising and sales promotion on profitability

Advertising and sales promotion have significant impact on raising customer awareness. They are tools by which customers become acquainted with new and innovative products and services of the companies. Despite the importance of these tools in increasing sales, it is not easy to evaluate their effect on sales. One of the problems confronted by the marketing managers is the determination of a clear relationship between the effectiveness of advertising and sales promotion on profitability. In this article, considering the relationship between these tools and brand equity, we have attempted to determine the relationship between effectiveness of these two factors and profitability. Next, a system dynamics model for representing the effects of marketing communication tools on company profitability is offered. Finally, using the data from a corporation and the numeric values related to each of the elements in the model, an attempt has been made to determine a number representing the magnitude of the effect of advertising and sales promotion on the corporation＇s revenue and profitability and to draw the respective curves related to the effects of these two factors.

The Analysis of Effectiveness of Cost Control Strategy on the Profitability of Coca-Cola Company From Year 2015 to 2017

This paper is aiming to evaluate the effect of cost control strategy on the profitability of Coca-Cola Company from year 2015 to 2017 by using the ratio analysis and offer essential recommendations for the company.This paper is divided into three parts.First part is to introduce the current business operation activities and basic background information.This paper adopts desk research as data collection method.The major sources of information are the annual report of Coca-Cola Company,the database of World Health Organisation and other scholastic websites such as Wan Fang Database.Second,financial statements analysis and profitability analysis.This part contains three data analysis methods that are horizontal analysis and ratio analysis.Third part is the conclusion which is from year 2015 to 2017,that Coca-Cola Company has strengthened its profitability through cost control strategy but there are fatal hazards in the profitability of Coca-Cola Company that is the worse utilization of its assets to generate profit and dispute with IRS.The recommendations are also provided based on the conclusion which could be referenced by other companies to some extent.