Soil tillage and sugarcane planting: an assessment of cost and economic viability

ABSTRACT Yield and profitability levels in sugarcane crops demonstrate the importance of the agricultural practices adopted, especially for soil preparation and planting systems. This study evaluated the costs involved in 40 alternative methods for the establishment of sugarcane crops resulting from the combination of eight soil preparation systems and five planting options, followed by an assessment of the economic viability of sugarcane production for suppliers and sugar mills. Data were collected from 31 sugar mills and 42 suppliers in São Paulo State, Brazil, from the 2016/17 season. The cost analysis and discounted cash flow analysis were used to calculate economic viability. Localized soil preparation with a fixed application rate of inputs (soil amendments) and mechanized planting with a variable application rate of fertilizers were the least costly systems to establish the sugarcane crop. Regarding the sugarcane establishment system, the mediumsized sugar mills were the most economically viable when compared to independent sugarcane producers. There was no significant difference in cost to establish sugarcane crops across the various sized groups of suppliers and we identified that costs rose as the size of the sugar mills increased.

Soil tillage and sugarcane planting: an assessment of cost and economic viability

Yield and profitability levels in sugarcane crops demonstrate the importance of the agricultural practices adopted, especially for soil preparation and planting systems. This study evaluated the costs involved in 40 alternative methods for the establishment of sugarcane crops resulting from the combination of eight soil preparation systems and five planting options, followed by an assessment of the economic viability of sugarcane production for suppliers and sugar mills. Data were collected from 31 sugar mills and 42 suppliers in São Paulo State, Brazil, from the 2016/17 season. The cost analysis and discounted cash flow analysis were used to calculate economic viability. Localized soil preparation with a fixed application rate of inputs (soil amendments) and mechanized planting with a variable application rate of fertilizers were the least costly systems to establish the sugarcane crop. Regarding the sugarcane establishment system, the medium–sized sugar mills were the most economically viable when compared to independent sugarcane producers. There was no significant difference in cost to establish sugarcane crops across the various sized groups of suppliers and we identified that costs rose as the size of the sugar mills increased.

Soil tillage and sugarcane planting: an assessment of cost and economic viability

Yield and profitability levels in sugarcane crops demonstrate the importance of the agricultural practices adopted, especially for soil preparation and planting systems. This study evaluated the costs involved in 40 alternative methods for the establishment of sugarcane crops resulting from the combination of eight soil preparation systems and five planting options, followed by an assessment of the economic viability of sugarcane production for suppliers and sugar mills. Data were collected from 31 sugar mills and 42 suppliers in São Paulo State, Brazil, from the 2016/17 season. The cost analysis and discounted cash flow analysis were used to calculate economic viability. Localized soil preparation with a fixed application rate of inputs (soil amendments) and mechanized planting with a variable application rate of fertilizers were the least costly systems to establish the sugarcane crop. Regarding the sugarcane establishment system, the medium­sized sugar mills were the most economically viable when compared to independent sugarcane producers. There was no significant difference in cost to establish sugarcane crops across the various sized groups of suppliers and we identified that costs rose as the size of the sugar mills increased.(AU)

Production of the Kappaphycus alvarezii extract as a leaf biofertilizer: technical and economic analysis for the north coast of São Paulo-Brazil / Produção do extrato da macroalga Kappaphycus alvarezii como biofertilizante foliar: análise técnica e econômica para o litoral norte de São Paulo-Brasil

The extract of the Kappaphycus alvarezii seaweed is used as a leaf biofertilizer and several studies had proven its efficiency in several crops. This study aimed to analyze the economic viability of fresh seaweed production and the chemically characterized seaweed extract cultivated as a technical-economic alternative for coastal communities. Yields of the solid and liquid fractions were quantified, the extract was characterized in its chemical composition of macronutrients and micronutrients and it was classified according to the criteria of the Brazilian legislation of agricultural fertilizers. For the study of economic feasibility, different sales price scenarios were considered and compared with the commercialization of fresh seaweed. The average yield obtained from the processing of the Brazilian adapted strains of the K. alvarezii for the liquid fraction or fresh seaweed extract was 0.71 ± 0.0080 L kg-1 and the moisture solid production was 295 ± 0.0126 g kg-1. The production of fresh seaweed was unfeasible and for the handmade extract was economically viable for the scenario with the sale price of US$ 2.77 with a net present value of US$ 35,300.13 and an internal rate of return (IRR) of 38.99% over ten year.

O extrato da alga marinha Kappaphycus alvarezii é utilizado como biofertilizante foliar e vários estudos comprovaram sua eficiência agronômica em diversas culturas agrícolas. Este estudo teve como objetivo analisar a viabilidade econômica do cultivo de algas marinhas frescas e seu extrato quimicamente caracterizado como alternativa técnico-econômica para comunidades costeiras. Os rendimentos das frações sólida e líquida foram quantificados, o extrato foi caracterizado em sua composição química de macronutrientes e micronutrientes e foi classificado de acordo com os critérios da legislação brasileira de fertilizantes agrícolas. Para o estudo de viabilidade econômica, diferentes cenários de preços de venda foram considerados e comparados com a comercialização das algas marinhas frescas. O rendimento médio obtido pelo processamento das linhagens brasileiras de K. alvarezii para a fração líquida ou extrato de alga marinha fresca foi de 0,71 ± 0,0080 L kg-1 e o rendimento da fração sólida foi de 295 ± 0,0126 g kg-1. A produção de algas marinhas frescas foi inviável economicamente e, para o extrato artesanal, foi viável para o cenário com preço de venda de US$ 2,77, com valor presente líquido de US$ 35.300,13 e taxa interna de retorno (TIR) de 38,99% para um horizonte de dez anos.

Production of the Kappaphycus alvarezii extract as a leaf biofertilizer: technical and economic analysis for the north coast of São Paulo-Brazil / Produção do extrato da macroalga Kappaphycus alvarezii como biofertilizante foliar: análise técnica e econômica para o litoral norte de São Paulo-Brasil

The extract of the Kappaphycus alvarezii seaweed is used as a leaf biofertilizer and several studies had proven its efficiency in several crops. This study aimed to analyze the economic viability of fresh seaweed production and the chemically characterized seaweed extract cultivated as a technical-economic alternative for coastal communities. Yields of the solid and liquid fractions were quantified, the extract was characterized in its chemical composition of macronutrients and micronutrients and it was classified according to the criteria of the Brazilian legislation of agricultural fertilizers. For the study of economic feasibility, different sales price scenarios were considered and compared with the commercialization of fresh seaweed. The average yield obtained from the processing of the Brazilian adapted strains of the K. alvarezii for the liquid fraction or fresh seaweed extract was 0.71 ± 0.0080 L kg-1 and the moisture solid production was 295 ± 0.0126 g kg-1. The production of fresh seaweed was unfeasible and for the handmade extract was economically viable for the scenario with the sale price of US$ 2.77 with a net present value of US$ 35,300.13 and an internal rate of return (IRR) of 38.99% over ten year.(AU)

O extrato da alga marinha Kappaphycus alvarezii é utilizado como biofertilizante foliar e vários estudos comprovaram sua eficiência agronômica em diversas culturas agrícolas. Este estudo teve como objetivo analisar a viabilidade econômica do cultivo de algas marinhas frescas e seu extrato quimicamente caracterizado como alternativa técnico-econômica para comunidades costeiras. Os rendimentos das frações sólida e líquida foram quantificados, o extrato foi caracterizado em sua composição química de macronutrientes e micronutrientes e foi classificado de acordo com os critérios da legislação brasileira de fertilizantes agrícolas. Para o estudo de viabilidade econômica, diferentes cenários de preços de venda foram considerados e comparados com a comercialização das algas marinhas frescas. O rendimento médio obtido pelo processamento das linhagens brasileiras de K. alvarezii para a fração líquida ou extrato de alga marinha fresca foi de 0,71 ± 0,0080 L kg-1 e o rendimento da fração sólida foi de 295 ± 0,0126 g kg-1. A produção de algas marinhas frescas foi inviável economicamente e, para o extrato artesanal, foi viável para o cenário com preço de venda de US$ 2,77, com valor presente líquido de US$ 35.300,13 e taxa interna de retorno (TIR) de 38,99% para um horizonte de dez anos.(AU)