Socio-economic and productive characterization of sugarcane farmers in Pastaza province, Ecuador

Resumen

This study was developed in Pastaza province, Ecuador, with the purpose of determining the main socio-economic and productive characteristics of sugarcane farmers in Pastaza. A survey was applied to 58 farmers, divided into three components, regarding farmer, farm and sugarcane production. Results showed that the age of most farmers is between 31 and 70 years, they are male and self-identified as mestizos, dedicated to production (11 to 50 years), with primary instruction. Farms have an extension between 2 and 5 ha, dedicated to sugarcane cultivation, with ballast and asphalt roads, with distances of up to 500 m from the main carriers and from other sugarcane productions. Sugarcane production focuses on the preparation of panela and stem marketing for tourist purposes (fruit sugarcane). Extensions of crops are about 5 ha. In phytosanitary supervisions, there was greater reporting of the use of herbicides and fertilization with biological fertilizers. The highest production costs were focused on biological fertilization, with an average of 122 USD/ha in product cost and 28 USD/ha in application cost. Most of them reported a production of 5 m3/ha of panela or fruit sugarcane, with sale prices of 1 USD per unit. Regarding materials and equipment, most of farmers has fumigation pump, with investment lower than 100 USD in tools. It is concluded that farmers combine sugarcane production with other activities on surfaces up to 5 ha. Sowing and harvest are traditional and are carried out manually. Production focuses on the cultivation of panela and fruit sugarcane.