Sustainable alternative: A forage prickly pear cactus (Opuntia ficus-indica L. Mill.) production system for cattle fattening

Resumen

Objective: In arid regions such as south-central Chihuahua, Mexico, water scarcity and soil degradation affect agricultural sustainability. The forage cactus (Opuntia ficus-indica) has proven to be a viable option under these conditions due to its resilience and low water requirements. This study established a cactus production system in a 500 m² experimental plot to evaluate soil improvement, water-use efficiency, and economic investment associated with the planting method.

Design/ Methodology/ Approach: Comparative soil analyses were conducted before and after planting, improved irrigation practices were implemented, and the Baca Urbina methodology was applied for the economic analysis.

Results: Organic matter increased from 0.5% to 2.36%, and essential nutrients such as nitrates, phosphorus, and potassium also improved, while calcium carbonate levels decreased. Drip irrigation supplied 1.5 L over 4.5 h per month, with an initial investment of $50,000 MXN. The economic analysis yielded a net present value (NPV) of $42,075.89 MXN, an internal rate of return (IRR) of 39.48%, and a cost–benefit ratio (CBR) of 2.03.

Findings/ Conclusions: The production system reduced potential cattle feed costs and improved water-use efficiency, demonstrating that forage cactus is profitable and sustainable for small producers in arid and semi-arid areas. Seasonal variability and plot size could influence the results, so it is recommended to expand the trials to different scales and climatic conditions.