Validating Technologies and Evaluating the Technological Level in Avocado Production Systems: A Value Chain Approach

Abstract

In agriculture, technologies support the productivity and competitiveness of production systems in value chains. In the last decade, the Colombian avocado sub-sector has expanded. However, little is known about its technological level (TL). The objectives of this study were (i) to understand the perception of value chain experts in terms of technological supplies and demands, (ii) to evaluate the TL in avocado production systems and (iii) to discover which socioeconomic characteristics impact the TL. The three stages were consultation with experts and parameterization of the TL, evaluation of the TL using multivariate methods and analysis of variables of the production system. The technological supply “By-products from seed” was of great importance, while “Branch girdling” was the least relevant. A total of 161 demands were identified, “Environmental management and sustainability” showing greater relevance. The analysis showed a low correlation between the qualification of experts and the use of technology by producers. The postharvest supplies had the lowest frequency of use. Producers were characterized according to TL: high (34.4%), medium (47.2%) and low (18.4%). A relationship was found between the TL and some variables of the production system. The gap found should be the basis for designing science and technology policies for the avocado sub-sector in Colombia.

Rural-Urban Linkages: Regional Financial Business Services’ Integration into Chilean Agri-Food Value Chains

“…Linkages between financial business services and agri-food industries have been considered to be a channel for efficient market integration, qualifying the allocation of resources through intermediation services and allowing value-adding into agri-food value chains (AVC) [1][2][3][4]. Despite the relevance of the financial sector for economic growth [5][6][7], the role of the input-output linkages network between financial business services and agrifood industries at the subnational level is understudied.…”

Phenological variations of avocado cv. Hass and their relationship with thermal time under tropical conditions

“…The avocado cv. Hass in tropical zones, in especial in countries as Colombia has gained importance as a relatively new crop, prompting research into its productive, phenological, and physiological behaviors [ 10 ]. The high edaphic and climatic variability under Colombia avocado production zones provides a range of microclimates, influencing growth patterns and fruit production indicating the necessitated an in-depth understanding of the crop's responses [ 11 , 12 ].…”

Factors associated with the adoption of technologies for avocado production systems

“…By 2022, Colombia ranked second place in planted areas and sixth in volume of avocado exports with 98,595 t, 3.3% of the total volume imported in the world (ITC, 2023). Colombia has garnered global significance in the cultivation of avocado, symbolizing a remarkable growth trajectory and an increasingly influential role on the world stage (Cáceres-Zambrano Ramírez-Gil et al, 2022). The country's ascent in avocado production is underscored by its favourable climatic conditions, diverse ecosystems, and strategic geographic positioning (Ramírez-Gil et al, 2019).…”

“…Despite the existence of several technologies for the avocado production system, a gap is evident in its adoption (Cáceres-Zambrano Ramírez-Gil et al, 2022). The adoption of technology in avocado production systems encounters multifaceted challenges rooted in a complex web of factors (Cáceres-Zambrano Ramírez-Gil et al, 2022). These obstacles, largely undefined and interconnected, span social, economic, cultural, and market dimensions.…”

“…These obstacles, largely undefined and interconnected, span social, economic, cultural, and market dimensions. The lack of well-established causative relationships hampers effective problem-solving (Cáceres-Zambrano Ramírez-Gil et al, 2022). Understanding these issues is important for devising strategies that enhance the evaluation and subsequent adoption of relevant technologies by producers.…”