Revista de Economia e Sociologia Rural
https://revistasober.org/article/doi/10.1590/1806-9479.2021.253614
Revista de Economia e Sociologia Rural
Original Article

An evidence-based relationship between technical assistance and productivity in cocoa from Tocache, Peru

Relación basada en evidencia entre la asistencia técnica y la productividad en el cacao de Tocache, Peru

Angie Higuchi; Daniel Coq-Huelva; Cristian Vasco; Rafaela Alfalla-Luque; Rocío Maehara

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Abstract

Abstract: The growth of small-scale Peruvian farmers is highly dependent on cocoa factor productivity. Agricultural extension programs can help to improve farm productivity using available resources. Thus, the objective of this study is to estimate the productivity of Peruvian cocoa farming and identify if frequent technical assistance impacts on farmers’ technical efficiency. The data came from a survey of 379 cocoa farmers in Tocache, San Martin (177 producers who sell through intermediaries and 202 who are cooperative members), conducted between January and June 2015. This article is supported by the interaction of two associated techniques: the production function and the technical efficiency technique based on stochastic frontier analysis (SFA). The key findings were that the estimated coefficients for labor, capital, land and fertilizer were positive to cocoa production. Our outcomes also show there is a (marginally) significant relationship between technical assistance and technical efficiency (p-value<10%). There is also a positive relationship between efficiency and other socioeconomic characteristics of being a male, having experience in cocoa cultivation and practicing non-diversification in other crops. Policymakers could consider these results to improve farm management systems and, therefore, the competitiveness of the cocoa plantations in the Peruvian Amazonia.

Keywords

cooperative, cocoa, production function, technical efficiency, Peru

Resumo

Resumen: El crecimiento de los pequeños agricultores depende en gran medida de la productividad del cacao. Los programas de extensión agrícola pueden ayudar a mejorar dicha productividad utilizando los recursos disponibles. Por tanto, el objetivo de este estudio es estimar la productividad del cacao peruano e identificar si la frecuencia de asistencia técnica afecta la eficiencia técnica de los agricultores. Los datos provienen de una encuesta a 379 productores de cacao en Tocache, San Martín, realizada entre enero y junio de 2015. Este artículo se sustenta en la interacción de dos técnicas: la función de producción y la eficiencia técnica basada en el análisis de frontera estocástica. Los hallazgos clave fueron que los coeficientes estimados de trabajo, capital, tierras y fertilizantes fueron positivos para la producción. Asimismo, se muestra la existencia de una relación entre la frecuencia de asistencia técnica y la eficiencia técnica (p-valor<10%). También existe una relación positiva entre la eficiencia y otras características socioeconómicas al ser hombre, tener experiencia en el cacao y no practicar la diversificación en otros cultivos. Los formuladores de políticas públicas podrían considerar estos resultados para mejorar los sistemas de manejo agrarios y, por tanto, la competitividad de los cacaoteros en la Amazonía peruana.
 

Palavras-chave

cooperativa, cacao, función de producción, eficiencia técnica, Perú

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Submetido em:
25/06/2021

Aceito em:
19/10/2021

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