Acessibilidade / Reportar erro

Predictors of the adoption of crop-livestock integration systems in São Paulo and the role of innovation intermediaries

Abstract:

The aim of this article is to propose an analytical model to identify predictors of regions suitable for process technology diffusion, as well as identify and describe functions of innovation intermediaries. The theoretical approaches of innovation diffusion and innovation intermediaries were used. The adoption of integrated crop-livestock (ILP) systems in the state of São Paulo was analyzed. The method consisted of (i) a literature review on adoption and diffusion of innovation and innovation intermediaries, (ii) a survey to identify factors that influence the adoption of ILP, and (iii) the comparison of two municipalities with high diffusion of ILP with their rural development region (EDR). Census data on organizational and institutional aspects of the region and on farm characteristics were used. The results showed the following predictors: farm size; predominant livestock activity and herd management; membership in cooperatives, rural unions and farmer associations; in addition to access to rural extension services, insurance and credit. It was found that institutions and organizations act as innovation intermediaries, enabling interaction and connection between actors and promoting essential services to support the adoption of agricultural technologies.

Keywords:
technology adoption; innovation intermediaries; process technology; crop-livestock integration system

Sociedade Brasileira de Economia e Sociologia Rural Av. W/3 Norte, Quadra 702 Ed. Brasília Rádio Center Salas 1049-1050, 70719 900 Brasília DF Brasil, - Brasília - DF - Brazil
E-mail: sober@sober.org.br