Economic feasibility of heart-of-palm from peach palm (Bactris gasipaes K.) production with organic fertilizer in Costa Rica.

摘要

A financial feasibility study was conducted on heart-of-palm from peach palm (Bactris gasipaes) production, for fresh consumption; using organic fertilizer and 3333, 5000, and 6666 plants/ha, as population densities, in the Atlantic zone of Costa Rica. The net present value, the internal rate of return and the cost benefit relationship were used as economic indicators in different scenarios involving fertilizer costs and product prices. Heart-of-palm production with organic fertilizer would be economically feasible only if the amendment is produced in the farm and the unit price of the product is US $ 0.40; or if the unit price of palm-heart is US $ 0.30 but the amendment is reduced to 50% after the first year. When the organic amendment is produced in situ, and the amount used after the first year is not reduced, the production activity is profitable with plant densities of 5000 of 6666 plants/ha and a unit price >= US $ 0.30. Using 3333 plants/ha, the price must be US $ 0.40, for the activity to be profitable.