EVALUATING THE ECONOMIC SUSTAINABILITY OF COW FIELDS IN BAGHDAD GOVERNORATE FOR 2023

Authors

  • Ruaa A. Khalf University of Baghdad / College of Agricultural Engineering Sciences / Dept. of Ag. Economics
  • Eskander H. Ali University of Baghdad / College of Agricultural Engineering Sciences / Dept. of Ag. Economics
  • Alexander Zorn Agroscope / Switzerland

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.36103/rhy00z08

Keywords:

Environmental Pressure, Farm Management, Farm Viability, Financial ratios, RISE Method

Abstract

This research aimed to assess the economic sustainability of cow projects in a comprehensive framework that considered economic and social dimensions. The research problem focuses on cow breeding in marginal areas with harsh climates, including high temperatures and low rainfall, resulting in limited grazing resources and poor conditions. Family-operated farms often neglect scientific management, leading to low economic performance and sustainability. Consequently, the added value from these operations is minimal. Data were collected from 72 cow farms in Baghdad province in 2023. The global evaluation methods were used of four indicators to reflect economic sustainability: profitability, liquidity, stability, solvency and repayment, i.e. 17 financial ratios were calculated within these indicators, showing that the profitability ratios were all positive, but they varied from one indicator to another, in small fields P1 reached 14.813, which indicates the capacity of the project and the possibility of the present value of cash flows from primary coverage, while in the medium fields, the liquidity ratios were high in L1, which amounted to 17.172, which is a good indicator where whenever increased whenever it indicates the ability of the fields to meet current obligations and debts through assets in this category, Stability ratios in large fields amounted to S1 0.877, S2 amounted to 42.791 and S3 amounted to 0.005 that the decrease in this ratio is evidence of the availability of capital to cover the debts of the project, and that the RC, which represents the ability to repay ratio, amounted to 0, i.e. there are no debts within this category, The aggregate performance index was calculated, and the calculation of ZA, which is the American aggregate index, and ZE, the European aggregate index, Divide the fields into four groups according to performance, where the aggregate indicator in the first quarter or the poorly performing field (Quarter Y1) varied 3.459, and in the fourth quarter or the well-performing field (Quarter Y4) amounted to 168.691, The research concluded that sustainability indicators must be included in financial evaluations to assess the validity and feasibility of projects over time. Moreover, certain ratios used in America or Europe may not be applicable in Iraq due to differences in data or their unsuitability for animal production projects. This leads us to distinguish whether feasibility or project sustainability should be viewed as a measure of opportunity cost, as suggested in European literature, or as a measure of family well-being, as indicated in American research.

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Published

2026-07-31

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Articles

How to Cite

Khalf, R., Ali, E., & Zorn, A. (2026). EVALUATING THE ECONOMIC SUSTAINABILITY OF COW FIELDS IN BAGHDAD GOVERNORATE FOR 2023. IRAQI JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES, 57(7), 1903-1920. https://doi.org/10.36103/rhy00z08