Custo-benefício do controle biológico on farm para o manejo das principais pragas e doenças na cultura da soja

Abstract

With the aim of meeting the demand from farmers and consumers for agriculture that uses fewer agrochemicals, which cause environmental damage such as human poisoning, contamination of soil and rivers, and the reduction of populations of insects beneficial to agriculture, such as parasitoids and predators, various studies have been conducted to evaluate the efficiency of biological control as a sustainable management option in agriculture. However, studies analyzing the cost-benefit of alternative management practices are scarce. The objective of this study is to compare the cost-benefit of adopting On-Farm Biological Control in relation to Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and Conventional Management in Soybean cultivation, in the region of Maracaju-MS, during the 2022/2023, 2023/2024, and 2024/2025 harvests. Thus, this study intends to assist rural producers in making decisions about which pest and disease management offers the best cost-benefit, in addition to encouraging the scientific community to conduct more economic viability studies on the use of On-Farm Biological Control for pest and disease management. This will contribute to promoting sustainable agriculture with less environmental impact. Above all, this study aims to address the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): SDG 02 – Zero Hunger and Sustainable Agriculture; SDG 12 – Responsible Consumption and Production; and SDG 15, which concerns the preservation of life on land.