Economic viability of supplementary irrigation in sugar cane plantations, Saccharum spp., of northern state of São Paulo

Abstract

Full plant capacity of sugar mills and alcohol distilleries of the northern region of the state of São Paulo, Brazil, is achieved by renting land from farmers far from the industrial plants and frequently with low soil fertility. Techniques that increase land productivity may lower the requirement for renting of these marginal areas and supplementary irrigation is one of the available alternatives. Research evaluates the worthiness of supplementary irrigation of sugar cane, Saccharum spp. (Poaceae), in the region. Dendrograms, an instrument of decision analysis, were used to evaluate the expected values of different alternatives faced by the decision maker. Results show that supplementary irrigation of sugar cane increases expected net return per hectare of cropped land. Expected net returns were higher when indirect benefits (lower costs in land rent, planting, cultivating and transport) were also taken into account