The great stature enjoyed by Asyut Governorate in the area and production of fennel and cumin crops , these crops are not focused on by farmers because they do not have sufficient knowledge about their economic & exporting value , as well as how to market them.
The aim of this study is to identify the major factors that influence the production of fennel and cumin crops, studying their marketing efficiency, and identifying the major production and marketing problems encountered by fennel and cumin farmers .
The study was concluded with a number of results:
Asyut Governorate is ranked first, nationally, in fennel crop area and production: 64.87%, 75.76% respectively; whereas it came second in the cumin crop with 25,41% and 21, 4% respectively.
The major factors that influence the fennel and cumin crops production are: area, fertilizers, pesticides (for fennel) , and man labor (for cumin). The total flexibility of both products was 10,88 and 1,012 respectively .
The optimum production volume was 2,262 tons\ feddan for fennel , and 486 Kg\feddan for cumin . The profit maximizing volume was 2,996 ton for fennel and 708 kg for cumin.
The marketing efficiency is 94,84% for fennel , and 93,53% for cumin.
The major problems encountered by fennel farmers are: low feddan production , lack of farmers knowledge about the exporting value of both crops . Also merchants use farmers, and no medical / aromatic plants factories exist - both representing marketing problems.
In the light of the following, the recommendation made by the study are:
1- Developing species of high quality and productivity . and disease resistant.
2- Activating the role of extension workers in informing farmers of the economic & exporting value of both crops , in order to encourage farmers to increase their cultivated area.
3- The need for encouraging investors, businessmen , and governmental agencies to establish medical & aromatic plants factories in Asyut Governorate