Innovations and knowledge network analysis in mango producers of Tolima, Colombia
Contextualization: Despite the increase of mango production area in Colombia, Tolima department (State) has a lower yield compared to the national average. This situation demonstrates the challenges in technologies adoption by Tolima mango producers.
Knowledge gap: There is scarce information related to: i) innovations adopted by Tolima farmers and ii) knowledge access in their territories.
Purpose: To analyse the adoption rates of innovations and network access to knowledge of mango farmers in central Tolima.
Methodology: We set 39 catalog mango innovations, that were employed to conduct a survey to 64 farmers. We select snowball as sampling methodology and transform data collection in an ordinal scale. First, to understand the dynamics of the production system and producers' profiles, we conducted a descriptive statistical analysis. Then, adoption indicators were estimated through innovation management analysis and finally a knowledge network analysis.
Results and conclusions: Mango producers in Tolima focus on productive practices (reproduction, nutrition, sanitation and sustainable resource management). However, they display a low Innovation Adoption Index (INAI) is displayed (43%). It is recommended to strengthen the innovation adoptions such as harvesting and administration, in order to increase the current yield (7.12 t/ha) in Tolima. In addition, there is little interaction among farmers, limiting the dissemination of knowledge. It is suggested to promote interaction and learning among farmers through strategies such as field schools.