Relationships between management intensity and structural and social variables in dairy and dual-purpose systems in Santa Cruz, Bolivia

The objective of this paper was to study the relationships between technolo gical use and farm and farmer characteristics in dairy and dual-purpose far ms in Santa Cruz, Bolivia. Quantitative and qualitative data related to far m dimensions, land use, pasture, nutrition, reproduction and health managem ent and farm household social characteristics, access to information and te chnical assistance were collected from 319 farms in the main dairy-producin g regions of Santa Cruz. Data were analysed by multiple correspondence anal ysis in order to establish relationships amongst management intensity and v ariables related to farm structure, productive orientation and the farmers' social conditions and information exposure to technical aspects. A cluster analysis was then carried out to identify groups of farms with similar cha racteristics within the sample population. The analyses demonstrated clear relationships between management intensity, the farms' dimensions and the f armers' social conditions and access to information. Results are discussed in respect to the importance of farm characterisation for defining target g roups and delivering research outputs and extension policies more effective ly. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.