PERSPECTIVES OF EVOLUTION IN FAMILY HORTICULTURAL FARMS (original) (raw)
| Authors: | M.D. de Miguel, P. Caballero |
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| Keywords: | Horticultural System, Linear Programming, Farms, Viability, Adaptation |
| DOI: | 10.17660/ActaHortic.2001.559.102 |
| Abstract: The fundamental objective of this report is centred in determining the variations in the structure of the family exploitations, according to their possible adaptations. This issue was developed starting from the analysis of two productive systems with horticultural vocation in the Valencian Community: the first one, in the area of Benicarl�, characterised by a half-intensive horticulture, specialised, and the second, in the South of Alicante, in the area of Pilar de la Horadada, where the intensive cultures under greenhouse are important, particularly pepper, a position coincident with the large area of Campo de Cartagena.Once described the production systems, we went on to the modelisation of the types of exploitation most representative, and later, to see their future evaluations it was selected as a more valid methodology, the Linear Programming (L.P.) that allows, on one side, the introduction of models with a high number of variables and, in addition, the possibility to stablish simulations. From each model were obtained: 1) Culture plans that optimise the profits and 2) Optimisation of the available resources.With the dimensions obtained and the resulting profit, together with the use of resources it was possible to present a value judgement on the viability of each type of family farming. In the Benicarl� zone, the cultures that were introduced in the models are: citrus, open air horticultural and greenhouse tomato. In the area of Pilar de la Horadada, the cultures that were considered are: greenhouse pepper and six open air cultures.In both zones the major characteristics that had an impact upon the models of exploitation were considered: family farm without limitations in eventual labour hand. In Benicarl�, considering the optimisation tables, the increase of gains per person have greater possibilities in citrus than in horticulture. The alternative of installing or enlarging the surface of the greenhouse is not a frequent option in the area. The exploitations need, for their viability, a surface of about 4 ha for open air culture, for a family with the head of the farm at full time. Regarding Pilar de la Horadada, their farms are those of greater competence in the region. The adaptation, more than refer to variations in farm size and the culture plan, will fall upon improving the technology. About prices variation, considering the versatility of the plans of farming in horticulture, the results of the prevision at 10 years do not mean that a loss of viability of the farms could be produced. | |
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