ABSTRACT

This paper evaluates the technical efficiency of smallholder dairy farmers assisted by a climate resilience programme in the Brazilian semi-arid region. We use stochastic frontier models applied to a panel with quarterly data for 43 dairy family farmers assisted by the MAIS programme (Módulo Agroclimático Inteligente e Sustentável) between January 2016 and March 2018. Results highlight how the assistance to implement climate-smart production practices, in addition to access to basic technologies, played a key role in improving the frontier of production of dairy farmers. We also show that increasing temperature continues to be the main threat to the continuous growth of technical efficiency in the region. Our findings provide insights for policy and decision-makers in designing adaptive strategies to reduce the vulnerability of impoverished family farmers that face extreme weather events.

摘要

本文评估了巴西半干旱地区气候适应力计划帮助小农奶农的技术效率。我们使用随机前沿模型应用于由 MAIS 计划 ( Módulo Agroclimático Inteligente e Sustentável)协助的 43 名奶牛家庭农民的季度数据面板) 2016 年 1 月至 2018 年 3 月。结果突出了实施气候智能型生产实践的援助，除了获得基本技术外，如何在改善奶农生产前沿方面发挥关键作用。我们还表明，温度升高仍然是该地区技术效率持续增长的主要威胁。我们的研究结果为政策和决策者设计适应性战略以减少面临极端天气事件的贫困家庭农民的脆弱性提供了见解。