Ponteiro and domestic rice market studies, project development and support -- ponteiro census : descriptive results and economic analysis

This report presents the results of a census of ponteiros undertaken in the winter and spring of 1992. Findings are reported and analyzed concerning: number and regional distribution of pontas (commercial farms); total area farmed; aggregated production of major crops; farm level prices; yields; input costs. The ponteiro sector is found to be quite small in relation to Guinea-Bissau"s entire agricultural sector; only 13% of ponteiros have their land registered (representing less than 1% of total registered land). Most pontas are quite small, with an average farmed area of 7.6 ha. Only 16% of ponteiros reported having machinery (only 1% have tractors); 5% report using chemical fertilizers and 1% use pesticides. The ponteiro sector produces primarily perennial crops, and the dominant crop (75%) is cashews. Ponteiros respond to market signals, and 75% of all agricultural production of the ponteiro sector is sold. Sugarcane (limited to growers with access to distilleries) is the most profitable crop, followed by cashews. The average reported yields of ponteiros are quite low, however, relative to potential yields. Almost without exception, ponteiros would like to expand their agricultural operations, but they are constrained by a lack of credit, particularly to buy machinery. (Author abstract, modified)