Cocoa production in Southern Bahia focusing on technological tolerance

Abstract

Although the competitiveness of Brazilian agribusiness is based on the level of technological contribution, not all segments have benefited from this development. The cocoa segment in southern Bahia has its historical trajectory marked by a lack of technological innovations which compromises its competitive status. Further, the scenario of productive restructuring of the sector requires that rural producers have competitive strength to boost their business. This is especially due to the growing need to use technologies that will guarantee a competitive level that ensures the achievement of productivity levels that meet market demand. In the wake of the concept of technological tolerance, a survey was conducted with 55 producers in southern Bahia to identify their perception of the factors that construct this tolerance. Results revealed that there is no perception on low technological tolerance. Consequently, producers act at different technological levels opposed to a market that does not have its demand met, defined primarily by low productivity rates achieved by producers, in which technology is the great key to overcome this obstacle.