THE TECHNOLOGICAL LEVEL OF AGRICULTURAL MECHANIZATION IN THE STATE OF CEARÁ, BRAZIL

ABSTRACT Agricultural mechanization is a significant factor of agricultural modernization, but there are few data on the technological levels of this mechanization in the State of Ceará, Brazil. To study this topic, we designed a structured questionnaire, and interviews were conducted across the state. The survey data made it possible to calculate an index of agricultural mechanization technology and study hypotheses specific to farms of Ceará. The results indicate that the technology levels are different between farms of different sizes: large and medium farms are level I-M5 (automation), while small farms ranged from level IV-M1/M2 (primary/animal) to III-M3 (preliminary). We conclude that public policy for training should be directed at small farms. There is a need to show new production alternatives to small farmers, which leads to savings, and increases the profitability of the activity.

摘要：农业机械化是农业现代化的关键支撑要素，但巴西塞阿拉州（Ceará）针对该领域机械化技术水平的公开数据仍较为稀缺。为探究该议题，我们设计了结构化调查问卷，并在全州范围内开展了访谈调研。依托本次调研获取的数据，我们得以构建农业机械化技术指数，并针对塞阿拉州的农场开展针对性假说研究。结果显示，不同规模农场的机械化技术水平存在显著差异：大中型农场的机械化水平为Ⅰ-M5级（自动化），而小型农场的机械化水平则介于Ⅳ-M1/M2级（初级/畜力）至Ⅲ-M3级（初步机械化）之间。据此我们认为，面向小型农场的培训类公共政策应成为政策倾斜重点；同时需向小农户推广新型生产替代方案，以实现作业成本节约与农业经营盈利能力的提升。