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

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.

Rational Choices of Labor Workers in Increasing Family Income in Indonesia Forest Fringe Communities

“…(van de Ven et al, 2021). Workers need to be given extension programs so that they can provide knowledge aimed at increasing technical efficiency in work and also to increase production and supporting farmers' incomes (Higuchi et al, 2023). WHO suggests that the agricultural sector has a more significant impact compared to manufacturing so that the agricultural sector can reduce income inequality in developing countries (Raeskyesa, 2020).…”

Model to Estimate Determinants of an Area Harvested in Cocoa Production Systems

“…In addition, joint work is required between governments, companies and international organizations to encourage investment in the cocoa value chain and support the development of new markets and products derived from cocoa. A challenging future is foreseen for the economic sustainability of cocoa, given the increase in demand and because it depends directly on the expansion of harvested land and on the fact that new harvestable land is not exhausted [11]. In Colombia, enhancing social cohesion among cocoa producers helps minimize the risks of violence, illicit crops, and inefficiency [12], [13].…”

Factores que influyen en el ingreso de las familias agricultoras en Amazonas, Perú

“…Según el Ministerio de Agricultura y Riego [MIDAGRI], 2019) los principales mercados de exportación del cacao peruano son Estados Unidos y la Unión Europea. Por otra parte Higuchi et. al (2022) menciona que los productores de cacao en los países que van poco a poco en desarrollo, principalmente los pequeños campesinos, tienen diferentes limitaciones en las etapas de comercialización y producción, porque la mayor parte de los terrenos de producción de cacao se encuentran ubicadas en zonas rurales de difícil acceso, lo cual conlleva que las posibilidades de tener buenos resultados sean menores, a pesar de ello el producto brinda soporte a las familias, contribuyendo a incrementar sus ingresos aunque no sea en grandes cantidades (Cuenca-Cuenca et al, 2019).…”