Effect of financing on semi-organic production and marketing of cocoa (Theobroma cacao) in Leoncio Prado-Perú

Abstract

Cacao cultivation in the Peruvian tropics has low yields, which makes it necessary to look for factors that explain this behavior and to propose alternatives to improve the sector. Therefore, the study evaluated the effect of financing on the production and marketing of Theobroma cacao L. (cacao), clone CCN-51. Descriptive correlational research, which selected 113 farmers who have cocoa plantation in production for the period under study. The survey technique was used to evaluate cocoa production indicators, marketing indicators and financing indicators for the production process in the province of Leoncio Prado during the 2020-2021 season. The results show that financing influences cocoa production and marketing as there is a high degree of correlation (0.85) between self-financing and bean production, in addition, the variability of the harvest is explained in 72.8 % by self-financing and only 37 % of farmers have access to credit with very high rates (29.37 to 34.51 %) and their products are marketed in 45 % with local intermediaries, obtaining on average an operating profitability of 16 %. In conclusion, the study area is made up of small producers (72 % produce less than 5 ha), with poor access to financing from private and state entities that affect crop yield and profitability.