Conference Paper

The potential of snap beans as a crop for small farmers in the tropics

author(s)

Pachico, Douglas H.

regions
  • Colombia
original file download
full citation

Pachico, D.1987. The potential of snap beans as a crop for small farmers in the tropics . In: Davis, J., Janssen, W. (comps.). El mejoramiento genético de la habichuela en América Latina: Memorias de un taller, CIAT, Cali, Colombia, 11 al 15 de mayo de 1987 . Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical (CIAT), Cali, CO. p. 33-43. (Documento de trabajo no. 30)

Snap beans may offer a very attractive alternative for small farmers in the tropics with good access to markets and willing to take some risks. Snap beans yield high return to land and provide employment opportunities. The small farmer producing snap beans for the market will be able to generate a cash flow that allows significant investment in agrochemicals and other inputs. However, the crop does entail risks due to market fluctuations, production variation, and a high capital investment. Data on net returns, labor input, and costs of snap bean production in Colombia, Philippines, and Taiwan are included in table form. (AS (extract)