REVIEW OF THE 1979 COMMERCIAL SOYBEAN PRODUCTION IN GUANACASTE, COSTA RICA

No evaluation time frame or methodology are specified. Since SB is included in the Basic Grains Program, banking and insurance firms provided crop financing and insurance to project farmers. Small-, medium-, and large-scale farmers were trained in SB production through workshops and year-round technical advice. The quality of the farmers" seedbeds varied greatly -- poor seedbeds were attributed to wet soil conditions. Although planting dates were recommended, inclement weather often delayed planting. Planting followed the recommended row spacing, but many farmers failed to establish adequate stands due to poor seedbed preparations and inaccurate planter adjustment. Herbicides, cultivation, and manual weeding were recommended for weed control. Late season weed problems occurred as applied herbicides lost their effect. Some 38% of the farmers used insecticides. The use of rice combines for harvest led to frequent seed splitting, especially if the seed moisture was low. Of 21 project farmers, only 13 harvested any portion of the planted areas. Large-scale farmers had the highest production costs, but also higher yields and lower losses. Harvest yields correlated positively with the quality of land preparation, planting date, fertilizer application, weed and insect control. Higher production costs resulted in better yields, but even low production rates were profitable. It is recommended that: SB prices provide incentive to producers while permitting SB derivatives to compete with substitute products; SB research be included in CR"s overall research program; the public support SB growers; credit and insurance continue to be provided to qualified farmers; competitive crops be coordinated with SB production; SB seeds be produced domestically; and standards for formal release, maintenance of varietal purity, and quality control be established. A PES and a USAID annual report (PD-AAG-365-B1, G1) are attached.