Characterization, performance and level of technology adoption of the plantain agro-systems in Antioquia, Colombia

Abstract

The aim of this research was to identify and evaluate socioeconomic and agronomic indicators of plantain agro-systems in 14 municipalities located in the Southwest and Urabá subregions of Antioquia. These subregions present high commitment on the plantain crop, but with different levels in its management and trade. In order to address this research 197 socio-agronomic surveys were conducted; the survey was composed by 93 questions covering the following topics: general information, sources of income, plantain crop management, marketing of the fruit and environmental management. It was found that the production of Dominico Harton in the Southwest varies between 3 and 5 t year-1. On the other hand, it was observed that 84% of the plots established with plantain crops are classified as small producers, with areas sown under 5 ha. In addition, it was determined that the farms that sold to traders, in general, presented higher gross income than those who offer to collection centers. The production of Harton in Urabá was between 7 and 23 t year-1. The lands with the highest income were those who sold their products to traders or by direct sales in the modalities fruit in cases or fruit infield, respectively. In both sub-regions, the largest proportion of the area established in plantain corresponds to the premises of peasant economy, small producers that till for the agronomic maintenance of the crops. However, the yields presented in the Southwest subregion suggest the necessity for higher technical intervention in the crop.