Adoption of corn innovations under the field schools model in Tlalcozotitlán, Guerrero

Abstract

In order to increase the yield in corn cultivation in Tlalcozotitlan, municipality of Copalillo, Guerrero, technological innovations were implemented under the field schools model (ECA) and its degree of adoption was determined. 30 questionnaires were applied to know the initial situation of the producers, about the yield per hectare with traditional technology. The second phase was the establishment of the corn-school plot and the training of producers; through the ECA model, in the context of producer-promoter training. The variables recorded were performance, cost of production, B/C ratio and the degree of adoption of innovations. The initial situation indicates a yield of 0.9 t ha^-1 of corn grain, a production cost of $9 457.00 ha^-1 and a B/C ratio of 0.43, in the school plot 2 036 t ha^-1 was obtained and a production cost of $11 767.00, increased 1 136 t ha^-1, which corresponds to 126% in two years of evaluation and a B/C ratio of 0.79. There were statistically significant differences in the knowledge and adoption of technological innovations by the producer-promoters before and after receiving the training and accompaniment courses of field schools, developed in corn cultivation, where 47% of adoption in selection component was obtained of creole corn and 31% in seed inoculation with mycorrhizae and Metarhizium.