ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE EVALUATION AND TECHNICAL EFFICIENCY SCORES OF AGRICULTURAL SYSTEMS APPLYING MULCH TECHNOLOGY IN EASTERN AMAZON

Abstract

In this paper the effects of introducing mulch technology, mechanised chopping of the follow vegetation in farm family units in the region of Brazil known as Eastern Amazon are evaluated. The proposed approach includes social research, experimental design and thematic model to calculate economic performance indicators and technical efficiency scores, which were determined using Data Envelopment Analysis models in order to compare agricultural systems applying mulch technology to those using slash-and-burn agriculture. The results indicate that systems of annual crops (e.g. beans, maize and cassava) using slash-and-burn technology were more efficient with a better economic performance. On the other hand, agricultural systems of permanent crops (e.g. passion-fruit) using mulch technology had higher efficiency scores, but lower economic performance when compared to those that used slash-and-burn technology. The paper concludes that the economic viability of mulch technology demands the reduction of the hour/machine cost, as well as the increase of the family monetary returns, by intensifying land use with vegetables such as West Indian gherkin (burr cucumber), sweet pepper and eggplant in the temporary production systems.