Financial analysis of the investment in precision agriculture techniques on cotton crop

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate a financial analysis by the use of precision agriculture (PA) techniques on cotton crop. The experiment was carried out in a cotton field of 91 ha and its result compared to another field with similar area, cultivated with the conventional agricultural techniques. The financial analysis was extrapolated to the total farm area of 3,500 ha. All agricultural inputs applied, during the 2013/14 cotton crop season were analyzed, as well as their costs. The use of precision agriculture techniques over the cotton crop reduces production costs in 6.6%, increases the profitability index and operating profit in 3.3% and 7.9% respectively, when compared to conventional agriculture. The fertilizer application in variable rate, using precision agriculture, provides 41% of costs reduction with these inputs. Profitability and investment analysis indicators demonstrate economic feasibility and return over investment to both production systems (precision agriculture and conventional) over the cotton crop production, however, the use of precision agriculture techniques shows higher economic viability and smaller return over investment time, even having higher initial costs with machines, sensors and maps production.