Caracteristicas Socioeconomicas Y Rentabilidad De Los Sistemas De Producción De Maíz Bajo Condiciones De Temporal De La Península De Yucatán, México

The average maize area produced under rainfed conditions, between 2007 and 2013, in the Yucatan Peninsula was 372,293 hectares. 41.94% was planted in the state of Campeche and 39.34% and 18.72% in Yucatán and Quintana Roo states respectively (SIAP, 2013). However, studies by the National Research System (INIFAP) with satellite images and field verification (from 2010 to 2013), identified just 197,108 hectares devoted to growing corn in the same region where the state of Campeche covered 63.42% of the total identified surface (Cano et al., 2013). Despite the importance of maize to the farmers there is no enough information related to the conventional farming systems to be analyzed in terms, not only, on yield but on production costs and net income. Therefore this work aimed to technically and economically evaluate the maize production systems located in the Yucatan Peninsula where 43 sites were selected and a direct interview to farmers were applied. The yield was estimated on field, considering agronomic variables using INIFAP methodology and the total cost of technology, total income, profitability, cost-benefit, cost-effectiveness and private efficiency was calculated. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package Software and Predictive Analytical Solut (PASS) version 21. Levene test for homogeneity of variance was conducted contrasting the hypothesis (H0: and the ANOVA test, maintaining the hypothesis (H0:μ1 = μ2 = μ3), was used to compare means and identify significant differences by state and type of farmer. No significant differences between the age and education of producers were found, but differences were found among the experience of producers; the farmers of Campeche being more experienced, with 32 years, than the others. Statistical analysis concluded no significant difference between total production costs among states and, therefore, the production costs of technology in the whole Yucatan Peninsula were set at $ 6,448.93 per hectare. The total income per hectare was similar in the three states ($ 9,149.95); however the net income per hectare was higher in the state of Yucatán ($ 3,172.15) due to better price of grain rather than yield increases. Economic indicators (profitability, cost-benefit and economic efficiency) drove to the conclusion that corn farmers of the Yucatan Peninsula are cost effectives and economically efficient.