José Maria Ferreira Jardim da Silveira

Análise Exploratória da Eficiência Produtiva das Usinas de Cana-de-açúcar na Região Centro-Sul do Brasil

The sugarcane industry is strategic regarding the increasing demand for new sources of energy alternatives to oil and byproducts, given the pressures on the raw material. Due the future scenario that is taking shape, the ethanol produced from the sugarcane has advantages to conquer new markets, but since it has an efficient production and that makes a good use of existing resources. Therefore, the study analyzes the Total Factor Productivity (TFP) and their components for 17 mills in the Center-Southern region in Brazil during the period from 2001 to 2008. The sample is considered significant because the volume of cane crushed represents 11.5% of the total in Brazil. The methodology is based on Coelli et al. (1998), from Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA), using the Malmquist index, which assesses the productivity levels over time, decomposing them into indices that capture variation of the technical efficiency and technological changes. The paper concludes that the sample is composed mostly of followers, ie, the plants do not create and adopt radical innovations. They just follow a set move toward technologies already tested in the market and proven by other plants.

A adoção de Sistemas Produtivos entre Grupos de Pequenos Produtores de Algodão no Brasil

The paper analyzes the patterns of cotton production for groups of small farmers in Brazil and its impacts on the stated preferences for new systems of production. Specifically, it identifies the main characteristics that differentiate the choices for genetically modified cotton (Bt and RR) and non-genetically modified cotton (colorful, organic and conventional white). Analyses are based on primary data applied to groups of cotton farmers up to 50 hectares in the main producing regions in Brazil. The patterns of association between the characteristics of the farmers and the production systems were analyzed using multiple correspondence analysis. The probability to adopt new systems of production was analyzed using the Conjoint Analysis. Results highlight that even among small farmers there are important distinctions between the standards of production that determine the choice for new types of seed. The prior knowledge of the farming system, through the current agricultural practice, proved to be a key factor in the stated preferences for new production systems. The paper concludes that the production chain, especially the role of local cooperatives and private networks to support production and marketing, would play a central role in defining networks of influence and the adoption of production systems.