ملخص
The objective of this research was estimate the production cost function of the melon crop in Beni Waleed region, and determining some economic and profitability indicators The study relied on primary data from the questionnaire results and interviews, which includes 20 farms, which cultivates as a major activity in different areas (3-20 ha) Included about 21% of the overall melon farms distributed over different agricultural valleys in the Bani Waleed region (Ghibin, Suf El Gine, El Mardoum, Shmeikh) during the 2016 season. Total production costs per hectare amounted to the average sample of the study about 3172.0 dinars / ha. While the fixed costs ratio was 30.58% and the variable costs was 69.42% of total production costs. The results of the study showed that the average actual production in the sample farms was estimated at 133.8 tons, is still far from the profit maximizing size, which amounted (347.27) tons, while the average actual production is not far from economically efficient size estimated at 142.58 tons, which achieves economic efficiency and low average costs. Also, the results indicated that the average actual acreage of the sample farms was (8.9) ha. is not far from economically efficient acreage size the which amounted ( 9.3) ha. While the cost elasticity was estimated at (0.97), indicating that increase in the cost ratio was close to the increase ratio in production. 2017 178 It was also found that the profit margin in the average sample farms was 6399.7 dinars per hectare, and the net profit was estimated at 5489.6 dinars / ha. The study also concluded through the index of total economic efficiency estimated at (2.73), that means each hundred dinars is spent as production costs to the farmers with a total return of 273.0 dinars. Keywords: melon production, costs of production, economic efficiency, net profit Bani Waleed region.