Estimativa dos ganhos econômicos com a rotação do arroz com a soja em Terras Baixas

Abstract

Brazil is the largest producer of rice (Oryza sativa) in Latin America with emphasis on Rio Grande do Sul, where 67% of national production is produced. Despite the great economic importance for the region, profitability is decreasing, exposing producers to risks. The main causes are related to the increase in production costs, mainly those related to weed infestations resistant to current methods of control and devaluation of the real price of the product. Recently, soybean (Glycine max) has emerged as a profitable production alternative in areas traditionally used with irrigated rice, which has brought potential benefits to the production systems used in these areas. Therefore, this work aims to carry out an economic analysis of the main benefits of introducing soybean in rotation with irrigated rice. As a result, we found that the introduction of soybean in the irrigated rice production system reduces the costs of: soil preparation by 41.60% and weed control by 49.60%. Another positive aspect that soybean brings to the system is to increase marketing opportunities and facilitate producers' cash flow, which reduces exposure to seasonal variations in commodity prices. As for the risks involved, despite the fact that soybean cultivation in lowlands has a coefficient of variation in revenues of around 11% over the years, the total risk of the system decreases due to diversification. However, this new system shows a 13.34% increase in fertilizer costs and a 5.62% loss in revenue per unit area. Finally, the use of the practice of crop rotation between irrigated rice and soybeans presents itself as an economically viable alternative, since it provides the production system in low lands a reduction in production costs, increased revenues and, consequently, generates better financial return to these properties when compared to those that adopt the traditional system based on rice monoculture.