Elementos da eficácia e suas associações com a produtividade na agricultura

Abstract

The main objective of this study was to analyze the components of efficacy of coffee producers and their relationships to productivity. The choice of the area — Brejetuba, Afonso Cláudio Country, state of Espírito Santo — was based on its characteristic as a coffee zone, thus allowing for comparisons among producers whose major agricultural activity was coffee production. The components of efficacy studied were those suggested by DRUCKER (8): 1) use of time; 2) search for external contributions; 3) use of the work force; 4) concentration on prior area; and 5) decision making. The results showed that the producers do not employ week schedule for a rational distribution of the use of time, and do not keep record to control the use of their own time either. The research showed also that the external contributions "courses and/or other training activities received by the producers" and "technical assistance" are positively related to productivity. Producers who used those contributions scored higher means of gross margin (additional value) per hectare, and were considered as the most efficacions ones in this study. The work force used by the producers are not trained by rural extension agencies; on the other hand, 84,37% of the owne rs are assisted by them. The producers in the sample concentrate their time and the available work force on the main activity. In this sense, they are equally efficacious. According to the study, the decision to grow coffee was made mainly because of existent advantageous conditions as for example the appropriateness of the area for the specific cultivation, the existence of low cost agricultural credit at that time, and the lack of other possible options than under the consideration of previous economic studies.