Caracterización de fincas hortícolas en Cerro Punta, Chiriquí, Panamá

The objective of this study was to characterize horticultural farms in Cerro Punta, Tierras Altas (Chiriqui, Panama), on socioeconomic and agro-environmental aspects, with emphasis on the pesticides used. Thirty-one farms were randomly selected, and producers were surveyed. In addition, random soil sampling was carried out in five locations for physical-chemical and residue analysis of pesticides such as organophosphates, carbamates, pyrethroids and organochlorines. According to the results, 48% of the respondents were between 41 and 55 years of age, 39% had primary school education and 55% belonged to producer associations. The five main crops are potatoes, carrots, cabbage, lettuce, and onions, and 26% raise animals. Production costs ranged from less than USD 3500 to more than USD 14000 per hectare per year; yields ranged from 3.68 t · ha-1 to 52.62 t ·ha-1, associated with the technologies implemented. Seventy-seven percent of the producers use untreated poultry manure, and 36 different pesticides are used in the area. Fifty-two percent use full personal protective equipment. Laboratory analyses show that the soils are of the Andisol order, with pH between 5.7 and 6.5, organic matter content between 1.34% and 4.34% and effective cation exchange capacity between 8.04 and 26.75.