Analysis of the green corn production costs under tillage systems in the Sergipano Coastal Tableland

Abstract: Although many green corn producers manage their agricultural properties informally, the production of this vegetable is socioeconomically relevant to the Brazilian Northeast. This work aims to estimate and analyze the production costs, profitability and return of green corn in different cultivation systems, in the Coastal Tablelands of Sergipano. For this purpose, data were collected from the 16th to the 18th year of cultivation of a long-term experiment, in a strip experimental design, where each strip corresponds to the soil management system (conventional cultivation (CC), no-tillage (PD)) and minimum cultivation (CM)), and four previous crops (Beans Caupí, Crotalária, Guandu and Milheto) were randomized to corn. Production costs, Gross revenue, Operating profit, Profitability index and Leveling point were determined. Greater productivity and Gross revenue were observed in the PD, and greater disbursements in the CC (R$ 8,184.59). PD had highest operating profit and profitability ratio, where Guandu/PD had the best performance (R$ 8,847.18 and 52.02% respectively). Guandu/CC presented negative operating profit and profitability index, characterizing itself as a non-viable alternative for the farmer. The identification and analysis of production costs is an important tool, as it enables the identification of more profitable crops, being the PD the most recommended.