Financial Evaluation of Non-traditional Sugar Crops in the Desert Back in Minya governorate

In light of the growing sugar food gap. interest in sugar beets as a sugar crop in Egypt has increased in recent years. This has also led to increased interest in non-traditional sugar crops (stevia). This is due to the insufficient availability of sugar from cane and beets to achieve self-sufficiency. The world has witnessed a growing demand for natural and organic products. among which stevia stands out as a healthy and safe alternative to sugar. The study relied on field data using a comprehensive survey method for 60 farmers distributed across villages in Minya Governorate in the desert hinterland. The financial feasibility study of the project to cultivate one acre of stevia for 10 years showed that the total costs per acre amounted to approximately 73.9 thousand pounds. The main output of the stevia crop was estimated at an average of 1.8 tons per year in the study sample. and the average selling price was 70 pounds per kg. achieving average annual revenue of approximately 126 thousand pounds per acre. Among the indicators of the economic efficiency of the stevia crop in the field study sample. the net return per kg amounted to approximately 28.95 pounds per kg. and the net return spent per pound was estimated at approximately 0.71%. The project lifespan was assumed to be 10 years and the discount rate was 28% in 2023. the year in which the evaluation was carried out. and the project is tax-exempt. Among the most important of these criteria. it was found that the NPV (Net Present Value) criterion amounted to approximately 100.8 thousand pounds. the IRR (Internal Rate of Return) amounted to approximately 51%. and the PI (Profitability Index) amounted to approximately 1.79. and the capital recovery period amounted to approximately 1.615 years.