Predicting the Impact of New Cropping Practices upon Subsistence Farming: A Farm Level Analysis in Brazil

An analysis is done on the potential effects of several improved cropping practices in a subsistence agricultural farming system along with analyses of other development options. The farming system is modeled as a linear programming model. The problem involves mixture of perennials and annuals, sharecropping provisions and risk. The practices are found to have differential effects on the distribution of income between the landlords and tenants, marketable surplus and on farm employment. The transformation of traditional agri-culture into a self-sustaining and broadly-based modern agriculture is often a key element in economic development. Many feel that the introduction of new produc-tion practices will transform traditional agriculture (Schultz; Hayami and Ruttan), starting a chain reaction which stimulates development. However, the implementa-tion of useful new practices is difficult. Often technically well designed practices are not widely adopted because of eco-nomic and social factors. For example, farm level profitability, consistency of the practice with both the farming resources and the farming system, and consistency with the social and governmental institu-The authors would like to thank Marshall Martin, John Sanders, Mike Hanrahan and two journal ref