Análise da produtividade marginal dos recursos agrícolas, no município de Varginha, Minas Gerais

Resumo

The present work attempts to identify the actual use of agricultural resources in the county of Varginha, in the southern region of the state of Minas Gerais and analize how efficiently these resources are being used.

A random sample of 70 farms was taken from a population of 406 ranging from 5 to 500 ha. The sample was stratified into six classes.

The data were obtained by the survey method and are for the crop year 1964/65.

The analysis of the dada was made by means of a Cobb Douglas production function.

Various combinations of variables were attempted from which the best specified model was selected. The various equations were adjusted by the least-squares method. The equation was the following: 

Y = 1.39572  X₇⁰‧³⁹⁶⁷⁷¹  X₁₀⁰‧¹⁹⁹⁵⁹  X₁₁⁰‧³⁰³⁷⁹  X₁₃⁰‧²⁹¹⁷⁴

Where,

Y = the dependent variable, the gross income of the sample farms

X₇ = labor

 X₁₀ = general expenses

 X₁₁ = land in crops and pastures

 X₁₃ = capital services

All of the regression coefficients were significant at the one percent level.

The marginal productivity at the geometric mean for the resources in use were; Cr $416.530 per man year of labor; Cr$ 1.130 per Cr$1.000 of general expenses; Cr$17.820 per ha of land used;and Cr$1.690 per Cr$1.000 of capital services.

An analysis to determine the optinum use of each factor, considering each one individually indicated that: i) labor could be increased from 5.00 to 6.99 man years; ii) land could be decreased from 89.49 to 56,29 ha; iii) capital services a CT$904.34 could be icreased to Cr$ 1. 405.080; iv) general expense could be decreased from Cr$921.690 to Cr$911.110.

Inview of increasing returns to scale, all resources could be increased in the same proportion, if it were not for the increasing returns it would have possible to determine a maximum use of all resources.

Because of the aggregation of the variables considered, the conclusions ofthe present study are expressed for the total aggregate investigated wchich reduces the study's value to provide specific recomendations for the process of production. However, its results are useful for assisting in the formulation of public policy.