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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.

Quinoa is a traditional food grain that originated in the Peruvian Andean region. The United Nations declared 2013 to be the International Year of Quinoa (iyq). This official launch had a great impact around the world. On the contrary, it had minor impact on the consumption of quinoa in Peru, which remained relatively steady in the following years. However, the covid-19 pandemic raised concerns about nutrition and health among consumers. Therefore, this study seeks to analyze quinoa consumption in Peru during the covid-19 pandemic. Primary data were collected between September 2020 and August 2021 in Lima Metropolitan Area, Peru. Exploratory factor analysis with varimax rotation was performed for data analysis, and logistic binomial analysis was then conducted to consolidate the hypothesis of this study. The main outcomes identified were that (i) current quinoa consumers in Peru ate quinoa even before the iyq; (ii) consumers who are concerned about their health and nutrition needs increased quinoa consumption during the pandemic; (iii) women showed a higher probability of daily to weekly trend in quinoa consumption; and (iv) people with the highest income have more probability of purchasing food at supermarkets than those who earn less. The findings of this study can shed some light on consumers’ expectations and perceptions regarding quinoa consumption behavior during covid-19.

The International Year of Quinoa (IYQ) (2013) showcased quinoa to the world and generated a rapid expansion in international demand for quinoa. It also increased the level of consumption in Peru. Peruvian ethnic identity reflects the food culture of origin. This research aims to determine the relationship between ethnic identity and other Theory of Planned Behavior factors on quinoa consumption intention and frequency of consumers in Top Lima and Modern Metropolitan Lima, Peru. A survey of 381 respondents was conducted between April and September 2017, and structural equation modeling was used to analyze the data. Contrary to expectations, intention and frequency of consumption of quinoa were negatively affected by “ethnic identity” (p < 0.05). This result is related to the promotion by the IYQ and Marca Perú (brand name Peru) and the gastronomic boom.

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