Soybean production costs in conventional and precision systems in Mato Grosso do Sul state, Brazil

Abstract

The use of concepts and tools related to precision agriculture enables a more efficient application of the inputs used on the agricultural production. Based on a case study, we analyzed soybean production costs under precision agriculture concepts. In addition, we also compared the results of the precision system with those obtained through the conventional system. Firstly, we analyzed production costs in terms of real per hectare. Considering the effects of precision agriculture on the soybean productivity, we also analyzed production costs in terms of real per bags (60 kg) produced. In average terms, precision system’s productivity were significantly higher than the one reached by the conventional system. When analyzing the costs of soybean production in real per hectare, we observed that the difference in the production costs between precision and conventional systems was little more than 14%, the first being higher than the second. Corroborating the productivity gains coming from precision agriculture, the difference between production costs has become negligible, when analyzed in terms of real per bag produced.