Estudio agroeconomico del proceso de produccion de frijol (Phaseolus vulgaris) en Colombia

Abstract

A methodology is presented on how to study bean production processes and its on-farm application in Colombia. The main objectives are to identify the factors limiting production and productivity, availability and use of resources, credit, technical assistance, markets, pest and weed distribution and intensity, production costs, and crop profit. The study consists of various stages: definition of the problem, antecedents, interviews with technicians and administrators, bibliographic review, definition of objectives and variables, questionnaires, pilot and final surveys, selection of areas (Antioquia, Huila, Narino, and Valle del Cauca), municipalities, and producers (177 farms with an av. of 25 ha). The av. area of bean crops is 6 ha with great differences among states; more than 60 percent of the cultivation is shared with other crops such as maize, coffee, plantain, soybeans, cassava, aracacha, peas and potatoes. Except farmers of the Valle, and to a lesser extent, those that only cultivate beans in Huila, the great majority of cultivators did not have adequate mechanical equipment for preparation, planting, harvesting, and irrigation. Seventy percentage are landowners, 10 percent tenants, and 17 percent sharecroppers. It is considered that beans need less irrigation, should be harvested quickly, and that it is the crop that produces the greatest profit; however, it is considered to be the crop representing the highest risk. Planting systems are described: on flat rows; multiple cropping on ridges; multiple cropping without rows; multiple cropping in the same flat row; multiple cropping in different rows, and mixed multiple cropping. Only 12 percent of the cultivators use improved seed and during the study, 86, 48 and 34 percent planted red, black, and both types of beans, resp. Data are presented on the intensity of land use; principle pests, diseases, and weeds are evaluated. Information on costs, storage, and marketing are also included. (CIAT)