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Technical and Economic Analysis of Aeroponics and other Systems for Potato Mini-Tuber Production in Latin America

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Abstract

Producing large quantities of high quality mini-tubers at low cost is essential for an economically viable supply of seed potatoes. Here we systematize the technical and economic aspects of aeroponics and provide a benchmark comparison of this technology with other mini-tuber production systems as developed in Latin America: conventional, semi-hydroponics, and fiber-cement tiles technology. Research methodologies included: 3-year registration of cash flows and production registers of aeroponics, economic and technical surveys, in-depth inquiry with managers of technologies. Results show that aeroponics as promoted by the International Potato Center (CIP) has several advantages, including high multiplication rates (up to 1:45), high production efficiency per area (> 900 mini-tubers per m2), savings in water, chemicals and/or energy, and positive economic indicators. The fiber-cement tiles technology from Brazil is also shown to be highly efficient and slightly more robust compared to aeroponics. Preconditions for the successful adoption of the different technologies in developing countries are discussed.

Resumen

La producción de grandes cantidades de mini-tubérculos de alta calidad y a bajo precio es esencial para un abastecimiento económicamente viable de semilla de papa. Aquí sistematizamos aspectos técnicos y económicos de aeroponía y se compara la línea de base de esta tecnología con otros sistemas de producción de mini-tubérculos que han sido desarrollados en América Latina: tecnología convencional, semi-hidroponía, tejas de fibrocemento. Metodologías de investigación incluyeron: registro de flujo de caja y registro de producción de aeroponía durante 3 años, encuestas económicas y técnicas, indagación en detalle con gerentes de tecnologías. Los resultados demuestran que la aeroponía tal como lo promueve el Centro Internacional de la Papa (CIP) tiene múltiples ventajas, entre ellas tasas altas de multiplicación (hasta 1:45), eficiencia alta de producción por área (> 900 mini-tubérculos por m2), ahorros en agua, químicos y/o energía, y indicadores económicos positivos. También se demuestra que la tecnología de tejas de fibrocemento de Brasil es muy eficiente y ligeramente más robusta comparada con aeroponía. Se discuten las condiciones previas para una adopción exitosa de las diferentes tecnologías en países en vía de desarrollo.

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Acknowledgments

This research was conducted with funding from INIA Spain and FONTAGRO under the umbrella of the LatinPapa Network project. The authors acknowledge the valuable feedback from specialists from Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Brazil.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Tibaitatá Research Center, Corporación Colombiana de Investigación Agropecuaria (CORPOICA), Mosquera, Colombia

    Julian R. Mateus-Rodriguez

  2. International Potato Center (CIP), Avenida La Molina 1885, La Molina, Lima 12, Peru

    Stef de Haan, Luis Maldonado, Guy Hareau, Carlos Chuquillanqui, Victor Otazú, Rebeca Frisancho & Carolina Bastos

  3. International Potato Center (CIP), P.O. Box 17‐21‐1977, Quito, Ecuador

    Jorge L. Andrade-Piedra

  4. Syngenta Foundation for Sustainable Agriculture, Basel, Switzerland

    Ian Barker

  5. Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuaria (EMBRAPA), Clima Temperado, Pelotas, RS, Brazil

    Arione S. Pereira & Carlos A. Medeiros

  6. Instituto Nacional Autónomo de Investigaciones Agropecuarias (INIAP), Santa Catalina Experimental Station, Quito, Ecuador

    Fabian Montesdeoca & Jacqueline Benítez

Authors
  1. Julian R. Mateus-Rodriguez
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  2. Stef de Haan
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  3. Jorge L. Andrade-Piedra
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  4. Luis Maldonado
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  6. Ian Barker
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  7. Carlos Chuquillanqui
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  8. Victor Otazú
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  9. Rebeca Frisancho
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  10. Carolina Bastos
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  14. Jacqueline Benítez
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Correspondence to Stef de Haan.

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Mateus-Rodriguez, J.R., de Haan, S., Andrade-Piedra, J.L. et al. Technical and Economic Analysis of Aeroponics and other Systems for Potato Mini-Tuber Production in Latin America. Am. J. Potato Res. 90, 357–368 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12230-013-9312-5

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