MELEIRA IMPACTS IN THE PROFITABILITY OF PAPAYA PRODUCTION IN THE EXTREME SOUTH OF BAHIA

This study evaluated the losses caused by meleira in the profitability of the papaya production in the extreme south of Bahia. The evaluation was based on the technical coefficients of the papaya system of integrated production for the south of Bahia, and information obtained from producers and technical consultants in the municipalities of Eunápolis, Itabela and Porto Seguro. The technical coefficients considered present the quantitative needed for one hectare of papaya, from Formosa and Hawaii groups under irrigated conditions. Based on these coefficients, the profitability analysis was performed. For calculations of the damage caused by meleira, losses of 5%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, and 60% of eradicated plants were considered. The profitability indicators used were NPV, IRR and BCR. Considering the survey of average prices paid to the producer, the profitability indicators for the Hawaii papaya variety were positive for up to 50% of losses, while those in Formosa were up to 60% of losses.