Abstract

PAEZ, Luis; TIBURCIO, Linares; SAYAGO, Willian  and  PACHECO, Rafael. STRUCTURAL AND FUNCTIONAL CHARACTERIZATION OF DUAL PURPOSE FARMS IN PÁEZ MUNICIPALITY IN APURE STATE, VENEZUELA. . Zootecnia Trop. [online]. 2003, vol.21, n.3, pp.301-320. ISSN 0798-7269.

To know the structural and functional characteristics of some double purpose cattle farms in Páez municipality in Apure state, Venezuela it was carried out a rapid diagnostic study in 29 farms that comprises the network for technological cooperation between INIA and PDVSA for researching and transference. A methodology that describes the structural aspects and the establishment of a functional typology was used based on a survey, where 8 variables which allow discriminate on the functional aspects of the production unit were used. These aspects were analyzed statistically by the factorial method for multiple correspondences, followed by a nested analysis of upward classification to determine the clusters by the farms, accordingly to their functional similarities. The results revealed the main features of these farms, and those variables with higher differentiation power, and the classification of the sample based on in their different technology level groups. The variables of more importance, in connection with the variability of the properties, were associated to aspects, such as administration or technical organization of the farm, followed by the physical productivity, as milk for hectare, and the management of the cattle health. Three farm typology were identified: class 1, that encompasses the traditional double purpose management system, with low technological level and scarce organization, class 2 or intermediate, with low or intermediate production levels, low productivity and little technical administration, and class 3, represented by those farms with the best productive performance and organization and a clear definition of the intensification toward of the milk-meat production system.

Keywords : characterization,; typologies,; dual purpose,; factorial analysis..