Agricultural extension services and its impact on the promotion of organic agriculture in the Puno region

Abstract

The objective of this study is to evaluate the intervention of agricultural extension services in the promotion of organic agriculture in the region of Puno using the quasi-experimental methodology of propensity score matching (PSM) for its estimation, the source of information is the database of the National Agricultural Census - 2012, in fact, agricultural extension services are considered as an indispensable instrument to promote a sustainable and responsible agricultural production system with the environment of the rural area. The results show a limited participation of the responsible bodies (Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation, The National Service of Agrifood Health and Quality, Puno Regional Agricultural Directorate, National Institute of Agrarian Innovation, Non-Governmental Organizations, etc.) responsible for providing the services of agrarian extension At the level of the Puno region, only 0.47% of agricultural producers received business advice, 3.39% benefited from technical assistance and 8.93% participated in training related to crop management, among them being the most Representative training service, the impact of training in crop management in the provinces of Sandía, Lampa, Yunguyo, Puno and San Román was the increase in organic production by 12.3%, 7.3%, 7%, 6.1% and 5.1%, respectively, in this group of provinces the promotion of organic products such as quinoa, coffee, potatoes, etc. is clearly evidenced. However, in the provinces of San Antonio de Putina, Carabaya, Melgar and Chucuito, the results are not encouraging, organic agricultural practices are reduced by 2.6%, 3.6%, 8.6% and 20.7%, respectively, agricultural training should support that sustainable agriculture that helps to promote an environmentally responsible production system development, in addition agricultural extension services should be oriented to strengthen organic production with agro-export potential.