Economic analysis of mechanical marketing services and their impact on the profits of wheat producers (a study in Diyala Province - Baladruz region as a model) for the 2023 production season

Abstract

      In this research, an economic analysis it conducted for marketing the wheat crop in Baladruz district as an applied model for Diyala Province - Iraq, for the 2023 production season, with the aim of knowing the efficiency of marketing services in the wheat crop marketing operations, especially mechanical services. Through a random sample of wheat producers who adopted mechanical marketing services, the sample constituted (9.7%) of the study population of (411) producers. The research adopted descriptive and quantitative economic analysis to analyze production costs and marketing costs through the tabular method. The analysis of marketing costs showed that the costs of mechanically purifying the wheat crop constituted (35.55%), while the cost of harvesting constituted (32.46%) of the cost of marketing the ton. From estimating the profit function, which included the average profit (R) as a dependent factor, and the selling price of the production (X₁), the cost of Production requirements (X₂), and marketing costs (X₃) as independent factors. It became clear from the analysis that there was a positive effect of both the price of output and the cost of production requirements on the value of profit, while the effect of marketing costs was negative on the value of profit. As measurement of marketing efficiency showed an excess of marketing costs of (11.5%), it recommended that the agricultural extension aspect activated to provide the necessary marketing information to producers in a timely manner. As well as establishing new marketing centers for the wheat crop, and providing adequate storage capacity to accommodate the crop annually. In addition, the need to pay attention to marketing research that is concerned with technical marketing services. In addition to the need to improve the external marketing environment for producers by reducing quantitative and qualitative restrictions on the crop to motivate producers to develop production quantitatively and qualitatively given the importance of the wheat crop in achieving food security.