Implementación de una alternativa biodegradable (hidrogel) para el proceso inical de plantaciones agrícolas, cantón Riobamba.

Abstract

The excessive use of water resources and fertilizers in agriculture causes water and soil contamination; therefore it has been necessary to use sustainable alternatives. The current research work was aimed to determine the feasibility of producing, and marketing biodegradable hydrogel based on starch from Colocasia esculenta (L.) in order to implement in the initial process of biodegradable hydrogel crops in San Luis, located in the Riobamba County. To start, it carried out a market study to determine the size of the sample taking into account the 12,000 inhabitants of the “Parroquia San Luis”, obtaining a total of 73 people. The surveys were conducted to producers in the area where established the need to acquire the biodegradable hydrogel as an organic product for the crops produced in that area being categorized in the surveys; as well as relevant information about types of crops such as: vegetables, fruits, legumes, tubers, cereals and pastures for the production and marketing units of the different products produced. After that, the potential demand was determined through the market study, identifying a production of 100 units of 1kg and 50 units of 2kg of hydrogel per month at a cost of $14.50 per kilogram with a production value of US$2,564.58 per month. It is concluded that the initial investment of the project is $5,503.58 through the cash flow projected to 5 years gives a net present value (NPV) of $11,859.30, and an internal rate of return (IRR) of 77.50% making the project viable, besides obtaining a benefit cost (B/C) of 8 cents per dollar invested. Finally, and due to the existing demand, it is recommended to evaluate the possibility of expanding the microenterprise to a national level.