Modernization of a peasant crop in Colombia: Evidence and implications

Abstract

The survival of the small-farm scctor in the process of agricultural modernization in Latin America has bccn a concern for many authors and institutions. Tt is generally believed that the small-farm seetor is bypasscd in the proeess of agricultural development. The authors analyzc modcrnization of bcany maize cropping systems in Southern Colombia. Priees, production practices and profitability arc cornparcd for 1975 and 1989. Dy means of a production function, the effects of alloeative efficiency, teehnical effieiency and technical change on productivity and profitability are analyzed. The obscrvcd changes refleet very weil the priee trends over the period. Bctwccn 1975 and 1989, total factor produetivity incrcascd by 50%. Dean/ maizc produecrs almost doubled returns to land and labor. Inereased teehnieal efficieney had most effeet on profitability, followcd by teehnical change. Alloeative effieicncy had more impact on yields than on profitability bccausc it was associatcd with high input costs, Considerable opportunities for further productivity incrcases werc identified. Conclusions on the nature of the modernization process are drawn. Implications for agrieultural policy, rcscarch and the role of the small farm in agricultural development are dcrivcd,

Productivity growth of Indonesian rice production: sources and efforts to improve performance

“…3. Technological progress represents movements in both average and frontier production functions (Jansen and de Londonõ, 1994). In this case, farmers operate their farms closer to the frontier production, which is increasing over time.…”

A Mathematical Model for Small Farmers in Rondonia, Brazil

“…In Latin America increased production in frontier areas generally still requires additional land because of a lack of developed technology allied to poor conditions (Bates, 1990). In addition, agricultural modernisation has resulted in a rapid change in the large farm sector and a low to insignificant change in the small farm sector (Janssen & de Londono, 1994).…”

“…Small farmers in a number of developing countries have demonstrated that increased efficiency can significantly affect agricultural output given the state of technology (Hayami &Ruttan, 1972 andBravo-Uretha &Evenson, 1994). The allocation and timing of resources have a significant affect on production (Janssen & De Londono, 1994) with labour being especially important (Skoufas, 1993 andDvorek, 1992). There is thus a significant link between increased agricultural output and technical change combined with improved management.…”

“…There is thus a significant link between increased agricultural output and technical change combined with improved management. Furthermore, technology transfer is only optimised where small farmers participate (Arbab &Stifel, 1992 andJannsen &De Londono, 1994).…”

Shifting from Green Revolution to environmentally sound policies: technological change in Indonesian rice agriculture

“…The elimination of pesticide subsidies and prohibition of 57 brands of pesticides in rice might also contribute to a reduction in pesticide use. In theory, the effect of policy on the use of chemicals, particularly pesticides, can be analysed using a concept of technological change, which, itself, can be affected by policy (Martin and Warr 1994), where technological change is represented by movements in the production frontier over time (Jansen and Ruiz de Londonõ 1994).…”