A inovação biológica e a produtividade da cana-de-açúcar no estado de São Paulo.

Abstract

This study aimed to analyze the contributions of new varieties of sugarcane to São Paulo state’s agricultural productivity. We developed the fixed effects and random effects models of the panel data analysis for the period between 1998 and 2009. The proposed econometric model included the following variables: varietal newness index, attainable productivity - used as a proxy for climate factors -, average cutting stage, as well as economic variables such as sugarcane and land prices, and labor cost. Results indicated that the most important variables to explain sugarcane productivity were attainable yield and average cutting stage, followed by sugarcane price. The introduction of new varieties did not significantly contribute to the increased productivity of sugarcane in the state of São Paulo during this period, suggesting no impact of innovative biological contributions on sugarcane productivity.