Characterization and attitudes of vegetable growers in the Santiago Metropolitan Region, Chile

Abstract

The production of vegetables is essential to sustain the national supply of fresh food. The main production area in Chile is the Santiago Metropolitan Region (RMS). The objective of this research is to characterize the vegetable growers of the RMS, as well as to determine their attitudes towards their activity. For this, a total of 170 producers distributed in 12 communes of the region were surveyed in person. The data obtained was treated by descriptive techniques. The most prominent of the results are the following: I) the average age is 54.14 years, II) 54.5% of the respondents have no formal education or have completed only primary education, III) there is good access to services and mobilization, IV) the productive hectares average is 7.68, but with high dispersion, V) the use of greenhouses, organic farming and hydroponics is very limited; as well as the hiring of permanent workers, VI) the use of ICT - except cellular phone - is scarce, VII) the declared innovation focuses on technical-productive aspects, VIII) most of the respondents do not associate, their relationship with the public sector is limited, they sell through intermediaries and do not keep records of their operations. Regarding their attitudes, they evaluate positively their work; however there is uncertainty about the future. We can conclude that it is important to carry out actions that result in an improvement not only of the technical-productive aspects, but also those related to management, marketing and access to ICT. That must be accompanied by an exchange with the farmers that allow them to be convinced of the opportunities to incorporate certain modifications in their work.