Evaluación económica de la producción de seda en la zona de Realicó (La Pampa, Argentina)

Sericulture generates products of high added value, constituting an alternative of productive diversification. Historically, it was considered a domestic and complementary activity, whose main input is the work, carried out at a family level. It requires little land and a relatively low investment. Argentina relies on the advantage of the wide adaptation of mulberry, the only feed of the silkworm. The existing projects still did not reach levels of industrial production, a fact which may be attributed to the low price offered for the cocoons. It is the case of the region of Realicó, which promoted this work, with two objectives: a) to determine the economic result of the production of dry cocoons, the elaboration of craft silk thread and both integrated activities; b) to estimate the price of cocoons that improves the profitability of farming. Three models based on the information obtained through interviews were simulated and complemented by literature review: (1) breeding with sale of dry cocoons; (2) processing of handcrafted threads. (3) integration of the two previous stages. For the economic analysis, the remuneration of family work equated to a rural employment. Dried cocoons were fixed a price of $ 340/kg and the handcrafted thread of 2550$/kg. The alternative (1), with an average capital of $509 953, throws a profitability of 4.97%. In (2), with a capital of $ 52 820, the profitability is 306,57% and (3), 33.28% for a capital of $ 562 773. Net profit amounts to 17 688 $/ year for case (1), 157 834 $/ year for the (2) and 175 523 $/year for (3). The price that should be paid for the cocoons so the profitability of farming (1), or even the opportunity cost of land capital (9%), is 402 $/ kg. The result of processing (2) does not change substantially, and a more equitable income distribution in the value chain would expand the activity. La sericicultura genera productos de alto valor agregado, constituyendo una alternativa de diversificación productiva. Históricamente se consideró una actividad doméstica y complementaria, cuyo principal insumo es el trabajo, realizado a nivel familiar. Requiere poca superficie y una inversión relativamente baja. Argentina cuenta con la ventaja de la amplia adaptación de la morera, único alimento del gusano de seda. Los emprendimientos existentes aún no alcanzaron niveles de producción industrial, hecho atribuido al bajo precio ofrecido por los capullos. Es el caso de la región de Realicó, que motivó el presente traba