Análise multicausal das perdas na colheita de soja na região Oeste do Paraná

Abstract

This research aims to investigate and analyze, from the farmer perspective, the volume and factors that affect Western Paraná soybean harvest losses. The research problem is justified by the losses that occur even with the sector modernization. To results obtaining, primary data were collected through interviews applied to 243 farmers in 8 municipalities in the selected region. From these data, the treatment was carried out by two different analysis forms, at first a Descriptive Analysis, followed by the Principal Components Analysis, which corroborated literature appointments and results obtained at the descriptive analysis. The results pointed out that, despite sector development and modernization, there are still losses that can be controlled, mainly due to factors such as machinery operators specialization degree and climate unpredictability. Also, this research has detected a relationship change between farmers and cooperatives, that previously played a key role in the development of the agroindustrial sector, but which, from the farmer perspective, have lost their initial focus of aid and do not provide more active technical assistance at the proprieties in order to improve crop management. In addition, it was verified that losses related to field relief and topography are closely related to machinery modernization and its age. It is noted that, in order to improve this situation, special emphasis should be given to farmer specialization, aiming the usage of all technology and instruments available for agricultural sector at its full potential.