Characterization of plantain (Musa AAB) farmers typologies in the Llanos Orientales of Colombia

The Llanos Orientales has traditionally been one of the most productive plantain regions. However, farmer's classification has always been as small (1-5 ha), medium (6-15 ha) and big (>15 ha) according to the planting area, without considering any other technical or economic criteria that would allow to differentiate plantain farmers in this area of the country. A economic, technical and social characterization of plantain producers in the departments of Meta, Casanare and Arauca was done based on a survey in the municipalities of Granada and Fuentedeoro in Meta, Yopal and Pore in Casanare, Tame and Saravena in Arauca. The survey addressed all crop technical factors from soil preparation to post-harvest of plantain. Data analysis resulted in the following farmer's typologies: 1. Producers with high productivity, technology and financial investment; 2. Producers with medium productivity, high technology and intermediate financial investment; 3. Producers with medium to low productivity, low technology and low financial investment and 4. Producers with low productivity, low technology and low financial investment. The results defined critical points for each typology and the facts to design work and research plans required to improve the production system for each type.