INSTITUTIONAL SUPPORTS AND AGRICULTURAL TECHNOLOGY: THE CASE OF CORN, SORGHUM, SOYBEAN AND SAFFLOWER IN THE EJIDO CELAYA, TAMAULIPAS

Abstract

The effect of institutional supports (credit insurance, and technical assistance) on the technological levels used in Ejido Celaya, in Mante, Tamaulipas, were analyzed. The southern region of Tamaulipas, where the Ejido is located, is characterized by the availability of such supports, except for the last 3 years (1991, 1992 and 1993). The technological level in soybean (Glycine max L.), corn (Zea mays L.), sorgum (Sorghum bicolor L.) and safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.), was quantified for each crop through a retrospective study during a year in which farmers had the supports against 1991 and 1992 when the supports were not available. It was found that the more institutional supports are present, the higher the technological levels, and that there is a gradual reduction in the technological level which varies from crop to crop and from farmer to farmer. Another conclusion is that in spite of their knowledge and use of the recommended technology, the farmers are using less quantities of expensive inputs and have decreased the number of agronomical practices, changing them by others less expensive that can be implemented by the farmers themselves. This strategy helps to reduce the risk of economic loses due to the erratic weather.