Análisis comparativo de costos de producción para cebolla de bulbo en el Departamento del Cesar

This analysis took information obtained by Colombian Agricultural Research Corporation, AGROSAVIA, during the 2022 exercise Cesar bulb onion production in the municipalities of La Paz and San Alberto, and Motilonia Research Center (C.I. Motilonia) of Agrosavia de Agustín Codazzi Cesar, to identify the level of vulnerability of the food basket in a supply shortage of a staple product. The objective of the research was to identify the best technical and economic conditions for bulb onion production in these municipalities. Two traditional production systems (La Paz and San Alberto, Cesar) and an experimental exercise under controlled conditions in a greenhouse in Agustín Codazzi, Cesar (C.I. Motilonia) were evaluated. Data were taken from all stages of production and information on the requirements was gathered for inputs, labor, equipment, and tools for each scenario, which allowed for an economic valuation and comparison. Once the costs for each system were identified, a comparison was made with national benchmarks, identifying gaps in productivity and local production costs. This exercise revealed that La Paz, Cesar, had the highest levels of competitiveness, due primarily to labor costs, which is significantly lower than the Cundiboyacense highlands (50.3% lower); however, crop productivity is lower than that of the highlands.