Perspectivas económicas de un cultivo de balsa con riego en la provincia de Santa Elena

The world economy seeks to promote the sustainable use of forests and in this context, balsawood production is presented as a profitable option due to its demand in different countries and the versatility of its uses. To evaluate the profitability of the investment, it is important to determine the costs of both traditional and irrigated cultivation. In a descriptive research using a non-experimental method, the economic feasibility of implementing an irrigation system in the production of balsa in the province of Santa Elena was analyzed, comparing the costs and benefits of both cultivation methods. The results show that cost analysis is crucial to evaluate the profitability of the crop, and that the implementation of an irrigation system in dry areas, such as the province of Santa Elena, may be the best option to increase the production and profitability of the balsa crop. In addition, it was found that the use of the irrigation system allows obtaining a higher quality production in a shorter time. Therefore, investment in an irrigation system is a recommendable option for balsa production in dry areas, as it is reflected in the production and profitability of the crop.