Characterization of productive agroecosystems in the district of Huacho, Peru

Abstract

Objectives: To characterize the productive agroecosystems in the district of Huacho, Lima, Peru. Methodology: The study area corresponded to the Huacho district, Huaura province; at a confidence of 80% and a margin of error of 12%, a sample of 26 farmers was randomly chosen, to whom a structured survey was applied that included the social (seven variables), economic (11 variables) and technical-environmental (six variables) dimensions. The information obtained was tabulated using descriptive statistics resources. Results: 84,62% of those responsible for the farm are men and 15,38% are women; with an average age of 38 years, predominating the university instruction in 73%. About 50% of the producers own less than 5 hectares, 69% have title deeds and 73% raise small animals such as guinea pigs and poultry. The predominant crops are corn, citrus, avocado, beans and strawberry. The average yield for corn is 10 tons per hectare, with an average cost of PEN 3625 per hectare and an average sale price of PEN 0,80 per kilogram of product; while, in the case of strawberries, yields between 20 and 40 tons per hectare are obtained, whose average sale price is PEN 1,10 per kilogram, requiring an investment of up to PEN 40 000 per hectare, when the product is for export. All respondents perform conventional management, with high dependence on external inputs and 73% received training in at least one topic of interest. Conclusions: The productive agroecosystems in Huacho, Peru were characterized, in which the satisfaction of basic services is incomplete, 50% of the farmers have less than 5 ha of land, with an average productive cost of PEN 3625 per hectare, variable yields and conventional management.