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Farm intensification and drivers of technology adoption in mixed crop-dairy systems in Santa Cruz, Bolivia

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Title Farm intensification and drivers of technology adoption in mixed crop-dairy systems in Santa Cruz, Bolivia
 
Creator Bernués, A.
Herrero, Mario T.
 
Subject FARMING SYSTEMS
 
Description The expanding demand for livestock products in developing countries is expected to drive changes in livestock
farming systems, such as intensification and technological development. However, while large commercial farms can
take advantage of these new opportunities, semi-subsistence agriculture will be the main option for many poor livestock
keepers. Development pathways may depend on local and farm-specific conditions. In this paper we: i) typify mixed
crop-dairy systems in Santa Cruz (Bolivia) from the point of view of their structural and socio-economical
characteristics; ii) deepen the analysis of farm economics and level of intensification and iii) identify factors associated
to the adoption of technologies. Three farming systems (specialized large commercial livestock farms, medium-size
agricultural farms, and small semi-commercial mixed farms) were clearly differentiated in terms of structure, production
orientation, economics and intensification level. The adoption of technologies (use of concentrates, pasture fertilization,
cultivation of cut and carry pastures and use of dairy breeds) was related to distance from the farm to the nearest
population, farmer education, farmer age and income. Policies directed towards improving market access and rural
infrastructure would reduce transaction costs and increase non-farm employment opportunities. Similarly, investments
in education and training would improve management capacity and technology adoption. However, current extension
services do not seem to have an effect on technology adoption and, therefore, need to be improved/ better targeted.
 
Date 2010-08-05T07:38:41Z
2010-08-05T07:38:41Z
2008
 
Type Journal Article
 
Identifier Bernues, A.; Herrero, M. 2008. Farm intensification and drivers of technology adoption in mixed crop-dairy systems in Santa Cruz, Bolivia. Spanish Journal of Agricultural Research 6(2):279-293.
1695-971X
https://hdl.handle.net/10568/2183
 
Language en
 
Source Spanish Journal of Agricultural Research