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The development of sustainable agricultural systems is a challenge in the context of policies and incentives aimed to the conservation of natural resources, especially in rainfed areas. This study examines demographic and productive variables that influence the adoption of soil conservation technologies (terraces and infiltration trenches) in 90 small scale farmers in the rainfed area of Central Chile, at the municipalities of Pencahue and Curepto. A Probit regression model was used which associates the adoption of technologies with the variables such as: age of farmer, family size, farm size, form of land tenure; presence of: tree plantations, greenhouses, composting and animals on the farm; participation in training activities and marketing expertise of the producer. The estimated Probit model has a high predictive power, reaching up to 92,2% of the correctly classified observations. The econometrics results show that the participation in training activities, the farm size, the presence of forest plantations and use of compost influence significantly and positively on the adoption of soil conservation technologies. The analysis not only reveals a positive impact of training on the adoption of high investment conservation practices but also on the incidence of the simple technologies such as use of compost. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The growing demand for the consumption of organic foods at worldwide level presents sales increasing by over five thousand million dollars per year. Demands extended to development countries like it is the Chilean case, which exports 90% of its production getting an internal market with low development for this type of products. The research tries to identify the constructs to characterize the potential consumers of organic foods. A survey was applied to 422 consumers to carry out the research in the Maule Region, central Chile (C. I. = 95.5%; e = 3.0%). The Information was analyzed through multivariante technic denominated factor analysis of principal components. The main results of the research reveal the existence of four dimensions or constructs, corresponding to: (1) benefits of the organic agriculture; (2) healthy feeding; (3) lifestyles; (4) attribute of organic foods. These four factors influence in the attitude and purchase intention for the consumers toward the organic foods. In addition being key elements when formulating market strategies for organic products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]