Coconut is a tropical tree being cultivated in about 90 countries, standing out the Asian continent in production and commercialization of the product "in natura" and in processed products. It is possible to take advantage of several parts of the tree, such as fruit, leaves, inflorescence, among others. Brazil presents good environmental conditions for adaptation and development of coconut cultivation. Among the main brazilian production areas, the Northeast stands out as the main producer (about 80% of national production). Bahia State stands out as one great producer and consumer. Ilhéus town in Bahia State is expanding the production along the time, in function of the tourists' flow and initiatives of diversification of the regional agriculture. The objective of this study was identifying and evaluating, economical and financially, the different technological levels adopted by the producers of coconut in Ilhéus Region. In this study it was used the survey cross-section technique for which twenty questionnaires were applied to the producers, selected through the criterion of intentional sample, according to the survey technique. Through those information the financial indicators were calculated (VPL, TIR, B/C) and sensibility analysis. It is noticed that the three technological levels adopted in the studied region presented positive results, however the Technology III is the most efficient. The results, for the Technologies I, II and III, of positive VPL are of R$ 4,857.04, R$ 20,782.38 and R$ 47,931.22, respectively; for TIR of 43%, 80% and 87%, successively. The relationship B/C was of 2.32 (Technology I), 3.24 (Technology II) and 2.89 (Technology III). Such results indicate that the adopted technologies are economical and financially viable. However, the producer can increase technology use to get higher advantages of the activity in order of generating larger profitability.
Cocus nucifera; production technology; financial viability
