Análise da eficiência do uso dos recursos em culturas anuais dos pequenos produtores rurais de Nova Resende, Minas Gerais

Abstract

The major objective of this research was to analyse resour ce use efficiency by small farmers in the município of Nova Resen de, Minas Gerais State, Brazil. Crops included in the analysis we re corn, beans and intercropped corn-beans. The data for this study refer to agricultural year 1980/81 and are part of a larger panei study (1980-1987) created for evalua tion of a state-wide integrated rural development programme. The sample consists of a total of 39 smaü-scale producers, of which 35 cultivated beans; 36, corn; and 2o intercropped corn-beans. A Cobb-Douglas type production function was employed in the data analysis; parameter estimators were calculated via the ordinary least squares (OLS) procedure. The dependent variable was de fined as total output value, while independent variables included cultivated land área, labor, use of work animais, use of equipment and machinery, property improvement investments, modern inputs,and general expenses. Results showed considerable resource use inefficiency. Re lations between marginal product values and factor prices indicated that with the exception of general expenses, production factors are not being utilized at optimun leveis in terms of income maximi zation. In the cases of beans and intercropped corn-beans, optimization criteria would require increasing the use of land, labor and capital factors, excepting property improvement investments . Next, results pertinent to corn cultivation indicated that optimal factor use would require increased land use, and reduced employ_ ment of labor and ali capital factors, while maintaining ger,eral expenses at current levels.