ANÁLISE ECONÔMICA DE SISTEMAS DE IRRIGAÇÃO PARA PRODUÇÃO DE TOMATE ORGÂNICO NO DISTRITO FEDERAL

The objective of the present work was to evaluate the economic viability of organic tomatoes irrigated by different irrigation system configurations. The economic analysis was performed using data from demonstration units, carried out on 2009 at Federal District of Brazil. The systems evaluated were: one drip line per plant row (GO1L), two drip lines (GO2L); one drip line with black plastic mulch (GOM), furrow (SU); micro spray under-canopy with a lateral between plant rows (MI), and solid-set sprinkler (AS). The marketable yields were 48, 60, 48, 62, 67 and 58 Mg ha -1 , respectively. The economic indicators used were: net income, return rate, equilibrium price, profitability index, and payback. The SU system presented the best economic performance, followed by AS, GO2L, and MI systems. The lower performance of MI, despite the higher productivity and net income, is explained by the high emitter cost (US$ 1.10/pc.). However, its viability can be considerably improved if farmers get in the market a low cost micro-spray that can be plugged directly on the lateral. The economic viability of GOM and GO1L systems was positive, but well below the others.