Financial and biophysical analysis for the potato seed production

Introduction. Efforts have been made in Colombia to increase the use of certified seed. However, the lack of knowledge among producers about its advantages, the absence of a stable supply and the dependence on commercial potato prices, limit the sustainability of its production. Objective. To evaluate financially and biophysically the production of seed potatoes in the department of Narino, Colombia. Materials and methods. The use, evolution, adoption, and costs of potato seed were evaluated between May 2016 and April 2018, to consolidate bases that allow creating sustainable production models. This information was collected through surveys to 1018 producing households in twenty-one local municipalities. To define the biophysical parameters, a semi-structured interview was used to extract ranges and aptitudes in cartographic layers, which were framed in an area with rainfall between 800 to 1600 mm year(-1), loamy soils with slopes of 15 %, altitude between 2800 to 3200 m.a.s.l. and temperature of 8 to 15 degrees C. The agribusiness behavior was established with a seven-year projection of production costs, based on a review of primary sources and figures of areas sown during the last ten semesters, which was compared with the estimate of the percentage of current seed use in the region to establish the potential demand. Results. The economic burden did not allow generating significant yields in a single hectare ((x) over bar: 6 %), because they were lower than the commercial potato production ((x) over bar: 18 %), with an average of 20 % and internal rate of return (IRR) of 28 %. Conclusion. The minimum area to overcome the profitability of commercial potato production was three hectares, managing to supply 3 % of the seed demand. The areas with greatest potential for production were the municipalities of Pasto, Tangua, and Sapuyes.