Oriana Villarroel-Molina

This paper examines the role of women in the dual-purpose livestock system (DP) in Mexico through their technological adoption patterns and aims to evaluate whether there are significant differences between the technology adoption networks of men and women farmers. The sample was composed of 383 DP small farms with 20 or fewer cows and a high level of vulnerability. Social Network Analysis (SNA) was applied, and the centrality measures were calculated for the technological areas of management, feeding, genetics, reproduction, and animal health. Significant differences were found in reproduction levels between men and women farmers. Therefore, SNA was developed in this technological area where men mainly occupied central positions (brokers) while women were just close to the leaders in the network. The results have shown that farms run by women were smaller and presented higher levels of specialization and milk productivity (20% higher), and women prioritized those technologies linked to female reproductive efficiency. Moreover, women were deeply embedded in men’s networks through numerous ties and were capable of building connections with groups of farmers outside of their own group.

The dual-purpose bovine production system (DP) is the most widespread small-scale model in Latin American tropics, where it constitutes a key tool in terms of food security. Most DPs are subsistence farms oriented to self-consumption, with a very low technology adoption rate. Hence, the main challenge is how to improve the technological level without compromising the system sustainability by applying land-sharing practices. Thus, through networks methodology, this paper analysed how farmers adopt reproductive technologies. The sample consisted of 383 very small farms of dual-purpose cattle. Seven reproduction technologies oriented to improve reproductive efficiency were evaluated: Breeding soundness evaluation in bulls, semen fertility evaluation, evaluation of female body condition, oestrus detection, pregnancy diagnosis, seasonal or continuous mating, and breeding policy. Social Network Analysis (SNA) allowed identifying adoption patterns, as the joint adoption of semen fertility evaluation, estrus detection, and pregnancy diagnosis, which were consider complementary technologies. Similarly, breeding soundness evaluation in bulls was found to be the most widely adopted technology. The results showed that these farmers presented a very low level of reproduction technology adoption rate and suggested that farmer’s affiliation with organizations such as the Livestock Groups for Technological Validation and Transfer (GGAVATT), and its network position had a significant impact on the level of technological adoption. In the first stage of adoption, this work highlighted the importance of centralized models from the GGAVATT to the farmers, related to the knowledge and absorption dynamic capabilities. In a later stage, decentralized models through technological leaders are a priority, related to integration and innovation dynamic capabilities.

The low technology adoption rate is one of the major problems in very small dual-purpose cattle farms in Mexico. Using the social network analysis approach, we characterized the farmer leaders in the innovation network and deepened the knowledge on the low technological adoption causes. The sample consisted of 383 very small farms of dual-purpose cattle characterized by using nine reproductive management technologies. Our findings suggested that the network position of farmers had a significant impact on the technological level. Hence, the farmers farthest from the technology leaders showed the lowest levels of betweenness centrality index and high rates of constraint. Apart from this, advice, productive orientation, and intensification were also differentiating elements at the technological level. The findings provided relevant insights and useful tools to policy makers to better support, coordinate and enhance the adoption of innovation among smallholders.

Objective: This paper aims to analyse the process management in the traceability system LeTtrA Q of goat and sheep milk, and thus contribute to the knowledge of the business value chain in Andalusia. Methodology: Five process management variables were studied: sample status (EM), sample results (RM), time from the sample collection to the reception in the laboratory (TT-R), time from sample reception to its analysis (TR-A), and the total time from the sample collection to its analysis (TT-A). A sample of 84,484 goat milk (628 farms) and 7,507 sheep milk (53 farms) was analyzed. A non-parametric analysis of variance was applied to the qualitative variables, while an univariate analysis was performed to the quantitative variables. Results: The comparative analysis has shown significant differences in the process management variables for the factor year and type of laboratory. Limitations: This study focuses on a single case study resulting in a limited generalization of its findings. Practical implications: The study of process management in the agri-food system contributes to the improvement of food security and it is a useful tool to enhance the technical-economic management of the farms.

Objective: This paper aims to analyse the process management in the traceability system LeTtrA Q of goat and sheep milk, and thus contribute to the knowledge of the business value chain in Andalusia. Methodology: Five process management variables were studied: sample status (EM), sample results (RM), time the sample collection to the reception in the laboratory (TT-R), time sample reception to its analysis (TR-A), and the total time the sample collection to its analysis (TT-A). A sample of 84,484 goat milk (628 farms) and 7,507 sheep milk (53 farms) was analyzed. A non-parametric analysis of variance was applied to the qualitative variables, while an univariate analysis was performed to the quantitative variables. Results: The comparative analysis has shown significant differences in the process management variables for the factor year and type of laboratory. Limitations: This study focuses on a single case study resulting in a limited generalization of its findings. Practical implications: The study of process management in the agri-food system contributes to the improvement of food security and it is a useful tool to enhance the technical-economic management of the farms.