Economic analysis of soilless and soil-based greenhouse cucumber production in Turkey

Abstract

Since the onset of the commercial application of soilless culture, this production approach has evoluted at a fast pace, gaining popularity among growers throughout the world. As a result, a lot of information has been developed by growers, advisors, researchers, and suppliers of equipment and substrate. This study aimed to determine the cost and return of soilless greenhouse cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) production and to prepare a sample budget for growers. Soilless cultivation is an alternative production method for Turkish growers and it is being practised on a commercial basis on 180 ha. Cost and return budgets can be useful for growers because they allows growers to compare total production cost and revenue varying grower type, production time, geographical location, operation size, and cost structure. Growers can identify items in their budget that have a greater effect on profitability, and make adjustments. In this study, economic aspects of soilless and soil-based greenhouse cucumber production was analysed as comparative. Total costs were subtracted from total gross revenue to calculate the net return of soilless and soil-based greenhouse cucumber production. The cost items of soilless and soil-based greenhouse cucumber production were initial investment costs, variable costs, and fixed costs. Net return obtained from cucumbers grown in a mixture of perlite and zeolite was determined as € 1.84 m -2 , whereas it was € 1.48 m -2 in conventional soil-based production. Production and market risks both affect profitability and economic viability of soilless grown vegetables. Key words: Cucumis sativus L., vegetable, alternative agriculture, closed system, economic feasibility ESTUDO ECONÔMICO DA PRODUÇÃO DE PEPINO EM CULTIVOS COM E SEM SOLO EM CASAS DE VEGETAÇÃO NA TURQUIARESUMO: Desde o início da implantação de cultivos comerciais sem solo suas técnicas de produção tem evoluido em ritmo acelerado, ganhando popularidade entre agricultores de todo o mundo. Como resultado, uma grande quantidade de informação tem sido desenvolvida pelos produtores, consultores, pesquisadores e fornecedores de equipamentos e substratos. Determinaram-se o custo e retorno financeiro da produção de pepino (Cucumis sativus L.) e preparou-se um exemplo de orçamento para produtores. Na Turquia o cultivo sem solo é um método alternativo de produção para agricultores e é praticado em bases comerciais em 180 hectares. Por conseguinte, avaliações de custos e retornos podem ser úteis para produtores porque permitem aos mesmos comparar o custo total da produção e o retorno segundo variações de tipo de olericultor, tempo de produção, localização geográfica, tamanho do empreendimento e custo das estruturas. Os produtores podem assim identificar quais itens em seus orçamantos tem maior efeito na rentabilidade e fazer ajustes. Nesse estudo aspectos econômicos de cultivos de pepino em casas de vegetação sem solo e com solo foram analisados e comparados.Os custos totais foram subtraidos das receitas brutas para fins de cálculo do reto...

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