Articles
TRANSFERRING INFORMATION TO FARMERS BY FOOD CHAIN INTEGRATION: THE TOMATE 2000 ASSOCIATION EXPERIENCE
Article number
724_37
Pages
291 – 295
Language
English
Abstract
Public extension services in Argentina are under pressure for poor performance and are often criticised for being inefficient, lacking clear objectives and incentives, having limited coverage (especially of the poor and women) and lacking relevance.
Extension in Argentina faces severe challenges of limited resources, insufficient staff and a massive number of clients that require technical assistance.
As extension attempts to reinvent itself in both the under-developed and developing countries, this paper outlines an example of innovative outreach for transferring information to farmers within the regional cultures of Mendoza and San Juan provinces in Argentina.
The approach was basically focused on the integration of the tomato-for-processing food chain instead of a grower-only organization by the foundation of a non-profit association with the participation of all sectors.
This non-government body, named the Tomate 2000 Association, applies the concept of integrated production management.
Growers, nurseries, seed companies, processors, researchers and extensionists all work together to take the best decisions in the field with the goal of optimizing profitability and efficiency to the grower and the cannery.
To achieve these goals each extensionist of the Association has 20 growers under his responsibility.
All of them must be visited once a week to get a well monitored crop and provide opportunities for discussion around crop management decisions.
The advantages of this methodology are: 1) Low yields and financial risks are minimized by utilizing all crop directives combined with the use of an Association hail insurance that covers cash crop costs.
Under these circumstances, bank credits appeared in the system. 2) Fewer spray applications resulting in reduced costs for growers, improved sustainability of the environment and the absence of pesticide residues in the final products for consumers. 3) Grower field records that allow traceability of product to the processors.
The functioning of a food chain with the participation of all sectors improves understanding of problems and allows widespread dissemination of information.
Therefore, better decisions can be taken.
Requirements for problem-solving technology from the clientele are rapidly detected and communicated to the people who are able to provide solutions researchers, extensionists, politicians, etc.
In addition, when solutions are found they also reach the clientele very fast.
Integration of supermarket chains into the Association will be a great challenge in the future.
Extension in Argentina faces severe challenges of limited resources, insufficient staff and a massive number of clients that require technical assistance.
As extension attempts to reinvent itself in both the under-developed and developing countries, this paper outlines an example of innovative outreach for transferring information to farmers within the regional cultures of Mendoza and San Juan provinces in Argentina.
The approach was basically focused on the integration of the tomato-for-processing food chain instead of a grower-only organization by the foundation of a non-profit association with the participation of all sectors.
This non-government body, named the Tomate 2000 Association, applies the concept of integrated production management.
Growers, nurseries, seed companies, processors, researchers and extensionists all work together to take the best decisions in the field with the goal of optimizing profitability and efficiency to the grower and the cannery.
To achieve these goals each extensionist of the Association has 20 growers under his responsibility.
All of them must be visited once a week to get a well monitored crop and provide opportunities for discussion around crop management decisions.
The advantages of this methodology are: 1) Low yields and financial risks are minimized by utilizing all crop directives combined with the use of an Association hail insurance that covers cash crop costs.
Under these circumstances, bank credits appeared in the system. 2) Fewer spray applications resulting in reduced costs for growers, improved sustainability of the environment and the absence of pesticide residues in the final products for consumers. 3) Grower field records that allow traceability of product to the processors.
The functioning of a food chain with the participation of all sectors improves understanding of problems and allows widespread dissemination of information.
Therefore, better decisions can be taken.
Requirements for problem-solving technology from the clientele are rapidly detected and communicated to the people who are able to provide solutions researchers, extensionists, politicians, etc.
In addition, when solutions are found they also reach the clientele very fast.
Integration of supermarket chains into the Association will be a great challenge in the future.
Authors
C.A. Argerich
Keywords
rural development, rural extension, farm changing, transference of technology, demand of technology
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