Structural and Technological Characterization of Tropical Smallholder Farms of Dual-Purpose Cattle in Mexico.

Simply Summary: Dual-purpose cattle smallholder farms (DP) in the tropics suffer from sustainability and viability problems. Grouping small producers according to their structure and characterizing them technologically makes it possible to identify the problems aimed to guide development policies. A sample of 1475 farms located in the tropical area of Mexico was selected. Five groups of smallholders were identified applying multiple correspondence analysis (MCA). Results show that to achieve a sustainable improvement of the DP, a deep understanding of the system, the rational use of the endogenous resources, and implementation of low-cost technologies is necessary. Very small farms (Group 3) showed orientation to subsistence. They need to improve all the technological areas. Groups 1 and 2, covered a 46.5% of the farms; these ones presented a small-scale productive model and the improvements were mainly associated to the area of reproduction and genetics. Groups 4 and 5 (29.4% of the sample) were the biggest and more specialized farms. The improvements were linked to technological areas of reproduction, feeding, management, and animal health. Dual-purpose cattle smallholder farms (DP) exhibit a critical economic situation. The objective of this research was building a typology for DP in tropical conditions and characterizing them technologically. This will help developing more effective public policies in DP farms located in tropical conditions. A sample of 1.475 farms located in the tropical area of Mexico was selected. The typology was built using multiple correspondence analysis (MCA). Subsequently, five groups were identified by a hierarchical cluster analysis with Ward's method. Groups 1 and 2, covered a 46.5% of the farms; these ones presented a small-scale productive model with low levels of technological adoption, improvements were mainly associated to the area of reproduction and genetics. Very small farms (Group 3) showed orientation to subsistence. They need to improve all the technological areas. Groups 4 and 5 (29.4% of the sample) were the biggest and more specialized farms. Group four farms were located in dry tropics and showed the highest levels of technological adoption in the areas of reproduction, management, and feeding. These farms require improvement in the areas of reproduction, animal health, and feeding. Group 5 farms were located in the wet tropics and showed specialization in reproduction, genetics, and animal health areas. In this last group, it is necessary to improve management and feeding areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]