Preferences and perceptions associated with improved maize seed according to producers from Veracruz Central, Mexico

Abstract

In order to know the variables that motivate the decision to plant improved seeds of INIFAP origin, 100 questionnaires were applied to corn producers in eight municipalities of Central Veracruz during 2015. The socioeconomic variables associated with planting decisions were: closeness of the point of sale (r= 0.9451) and knows (r) the seeds of the INIFAP (r= 0.9199). The most important technical variable was: to recognize advantages over creole seeds (r= 0.6162). The most important perceptual characteristics (p< 0.0001) that motivate the seed of INIFAP seed were: tortilla flavor (r= 0.558), and aptitude for nixtamalization (r= 0.4369). The INIFAP was positioned (78%) in the regional market with materials H-520 and VS-536, whose technical advantage is the grain yield, compared with native materials. The perceptual characteristics that the interviewees perceive in the H-520 and that favor their sowing are, good taste of tortilla (r= 0.4117), apt for nixtamalization (r= 0.4115), good consistency (r= 0.2583) and yield/mass and tortilla (r= 0.2366). The variety VS-536, is perceived with good aroma (r= 0.3315), good cooking time (r= 0.2124), and yiel /mass and tortilla (r= 0.2311). The data indicate that the perceptual characteristics do not favor the INIFAP materials, nor do the current forms of dissemination motivate the sowing of their seeds, and it has been the recommendation of friends and family the most important influence (r= 0.5336).