Adoption of soil conservation technologies by small scale farmers of Central Chile

Approximately 80% of the world’s agricultural landpresents moderate levels of erosion. In Chile, the risks related to soil erosion are greater in thepre Andean mountain areas or coastal dry-lands. However, there are also indications of low levelsof erosion in the Central Valley which, given the importance of this region for the country’sagricultural sector, should be taken seriously to avoid a worsening of the situation. This articleexamines the association of natural, social, human and fi nancial capital variables with the adoptionof soil conservation practices in Linares, Chile. The total numbers of practices implemented isanalyzed using a Poisson model which is appropriate when estimating multiple and joint technologyadoption. The data comes primarily from a survey conducted between October and December2005 to a total of 319 small scale farmers located in 32 water communities. The econometric resultsconfi rm that participation in social activities, access to credit, farm size and production system areimportant variables associated with the adoption of conservation practices. This study generatesrelevant information to encourage and support peasant farmers in the context of sustainable andconservationist agriculture.

Published by Asociación de Economistas Agrarios de Chile