PROFITABILITY ON THE REPRODUCTION OF NATURAL ENEMIES OF PAPAYA (Carica papaya L.) RED SPIDERS

Abstract

The papaya tree production in the central zone of the state of Veracruz, México, under intensive management, is highly profitable. The crop presents high populations of spider mites, commonly controlled with acaricides. However, this practice contaminates the environment, leaves residues in the fruit, causes poisoning of applicators and promotes the fast development of resistance to pest-control substances in the acari. An effective biological control of the pest can be achieved with predatory mites, massively produced. Therefore, the technical and economic viability of establishing a Center for
Massive Reproduction of Phytoseiulus persimilis in the central area of Veracruz was evaluated. The internal rate of return (IRR), the net presen value (NPV) and the benefit/cost (B/C) were calculated in a horizon of five years, with three variations of price of the product per hectare: (MX) $1,000, $1,250 and $1,500. The opinion of producers was requested through a survey regarding the product that the Center would generate. The project shows acceptable profitability, with IRR values of 41.5, 115.6 and 187.2 %; NPV of $411,368, $1’633,913 and $2’837,815, for the three prices of the product; and B/C relation of 1.01 in the first year with the lowest price of the product, up to 1.83 with the highest price obtained on the fifth year. The main competition in the region is the sale of acaricides such as dicofol, abamectin, fenbutatin oxide and imidacloprid. Of the producers, 61.4 % are willing to use predatory mites at a cost of $1,000 per hectare. As this product cannot be stored for long periods, the success lies in a production coordinated with groups of producers.