Comparative analysis of soybean production organic and non-organic micro Capanema in the Sudoeste do Paraná - crop year 2012/2013

Soy is one of the most important crops grown in the region west and southwest of Paraná state in Brazil. That made it an ideal spot for this 2011-2012 study, which analyzes the profitability of four soy production systems - conventional with Genetically Modified (GMO) seeds, conventional non-GMO, organic, and organic Electroherb zero till. The study uses existing data, but is also highlighted with measurements taken by a select group of farmers who participated in the project, and for whom soybeans are a main component of their agricultural income. The results of the study show that organic producers recruit a larger workforce than conventional producers, who rely on herbicides rather than manual labor for weed control. The gross added value appears higher for organic producers. Non-organic producers with an area less than 10 hectares have a higher production cost.