Factors affecting the productivity of yerba mate plantations

The yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis) is a species native to Brazil which is strongly linked to the culture and history of the states of southern Brazil, the world's largest producer and exporter. However, the productive performance of yerba mate plantations in Brazil has decreased over the last few years, despite of the available technologies to producers. Therefore, the objective of this work was to study factors that affect the productivity as a function of productivity levels of cultivated yerba mate. The data were collected by applying structured questionnaires in 470 farms distributed throughout the yerba mate-producing region in Brazil. The properties were grouped into productivity levels using the average productivity and its standard deviation, and the technological adoption was compared between the levels. The multinomial logistic regression model was used to identify the most determinant technologies for productivity. According to our results, the cultivated yerba mate is conducted by diversified family agriculture, with a predominance of low access to technical assistance and technology. Properties with a high level of productivity showed higher technological adoption, a more significant presence of technical assistance, and greater workforce training. Among the evaluated technologies, fertilization, improved seedlings, weed control, pest control, pruning tools, and cleaning pruning were determinants for medium and high productivity levels. Thus, public policies involving training and transfer of technologies should be encouraged in the yerba mate sector to stimulate the incorporation of new technologies in the Brazilian yerba mate plantations.

Automated summary

This study aimed to investigate the factors affecting productivity in the yerba mate industry in Brazil. The results showed that yerba mate cultivation is predominantly done by diversified family agriculture, with limited access to technical assistance and technology. Farms with high productivity levels had higher technological adoption, more significant technical assistance, and greater workforce training. Fertilization, improved seedlings, weed control, pest control, pruning tools, and cleaning pruning were found to be key factors for medium and high productivity levels.