Marketing and Financial Analysis of the Investment of Aquilaria crassna Plantation at Rayong Province

Abstract

The objectives of this study were to determine the marketing and financial analysis of the investment at Aquilaria crassna plantation in Rayong province. The using data was collected by employing the designed questionnaire to interview 120 Aquilaria crassna growers. Statistical analysis methods employed for the data analysis were percentage, mean, minimum, maximum, benefit-cost ratio (B/C), net present value (NPV), and internal rate of return (IRR).

The results of the study indicated that most the growers were male with average age of 46 years. Their educational level were at primary school. Aquilaria crassna plantation was their main occupation and the average size of plantation was 14.03 rais. The most common practice in Aquilaria crassna plantation establishment was monoculture with 10 years of rotation. The most growers sold agar wood by themselves and satisfied with the selling price. The results of financial analysis of Aquilaria crassna plantation by 3 plot sizes namely small, medium and large size indicated that the B/C and NPV at the given 3 discount rates of 7, 9 and 11 percent were over than 1 and 0, respectively, and their IRR were over than 11 percent. Thus, this could be proved that invested in Aquilaria crassna plantation is a sound business.

Keywords: marketing, financial analysis, agar wood