Social, technical and economic implications of the commercialization of Zea mays L. (corn) in the Espíndola canton, province of Loja

Abstract

In order to determine the social, technical and economic implications and the corn commercial-ization process of Zea mays L., in the Espíndola canton, province of Loja, secondary information recovered in libraries, public institutions and the internet was generated; and, primary rescued from surveys of producers, merchants, transporters and consumers. The production of hard corn is 24 155 t/year grown on a surface of 4 254 ha; the cost of production per hectare is $ 1 896; the average corn yield of 6 t/ha; the current demand of 502 t/year and potential of 24 927 t to 2021. The commercialization registers 80% to the wholesaler and 11% to the retailer; 9% is consumed on the farm; The purchase-sale system used is by inspection and by sample; The packaging is made on the farm in jute bags and synthetic material. Prior to sale, it is selected and classified according to size (17 %), degree of maturity (19 %), weight (32 %), and physical damage (32 %). The post-har-vest losses due to husking are around 0.2 %. The average price reaches $ 17/qq, equivalent to $ 400/t. The net margins reached were 5 % for wholesalers and 9 % for retailers.