Potential of Jojoba Agriculture in Mesarya Plain of Cyprus Island

Tourism, universities and agriculture all together make up the backbone of the economy in northern part of Cyprus. Various agricultural activities are practiced on the 57% of the total land. Nevertheless, only about 5% of the total land is fully suitable for irrigated farming and nearly 20% is a semiarid, dormant soil. Jojoba plantation is being examined for its potential as a crop in semi-arid and even in desert land around the world. Jojoba oil is very valuable oil and widely used cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and industry. It appeared that a survey of the potential of the jojoba agriculture on the dormant areas available would be beneficial in terms of the local agricultural economy. In the current study, the total area available on the Mesarya Plain, i.e. nearly 200000 da (decares) were considered as a jojoba plantation. The planning for jojoba agriculture may need to consider a long period such as a 100 years program. Nevertheless, the current survey was based on a simple cost - benefit analysis of jojoba seed and its oil over 12 years. Expenses of jojoba farming and cost - revenue projections in a decare were estimated in a period of 12 years. The cost of oil production from jojoba seeds was also made. The procedure was repeated for a second time for barley agriculture that has been cultivated often to date. It was noted that the net income of jojoba oil ($12079/decare) at the end of 12 years was approximately 2.6 times and 22 times more than the net incomes of jojoba seed and barley crop, respectively. In addition, jojoba plantation would be a remedy for the environment concerns.