I. REGULATORY ASPECTS (ASPECTOS NORMATIVOS)
This category has a specific value of: 15.00 points.
Within this category, two ponderable elements related to internal and external regulations that the Institute must consider when deciding on the acquisition of farms are considered.
- 1)Area affected by restrictions.
The value assigned to this element is: 8.00 points.
In accordance with what is defined in Article 46, a 20% maximum acceptable area affected by the combined presence of the restrictions described in its subsection b) is defined. This element values the minimization of that affected area, for which the four ranges included in table 1 were defined.
To determine the points that the farm will obtain in this element, table 1 will be used and the procedure will be as follows:
- a)The areas that cannot be subdivided (parceladas), due to the mentioned restrictions, are added together, such as areas occupied by natural water sources and their protection areas, lands of forest aptitude (aptitud forestal), lands covered by forest, and others of this nature.
- b)The corresponding percentage is calculated, relating said sum to the total area of the farm.
- c)The resulting percentage is compared with the ranges established in table 1 to determine in which of them it is located and the weighting factor corresponding to that range is assigned to it.
- d)The weighting factor is multiplied by the score assigned to the element "Area affected by restrictions" and the result will correspond to the points obtained in this element.
TABLE 1 RANGES AND WEIGHTING FACTORS ESTABLISHED FOR THE ELEMENT "AREA AFFECTED BY RESTRICTIONS"
| RANGES | WEIGHTING FACTOR |
|---|
| From 0% to less than 5% | 1 |
| From 5% to less than 15% | 0.7 |
| From 15% to 20% | 0.4 |
| More than 20% | 0 |
- 2)Location Relative to other properties administered by the Institute.
The value assigned to this element is: 2.00 points.
The Institute, based on reasons of merit and convenience, has used as an institutional policy the criterion of considering the location of the farms under study in relation to other properties (settlements, offices, etc.) under its administration. This element favors the creation of development centers, increases the possibilities for providing support services to both the population and production, and contributes to reducing the Institute's operating costs. For the weighting of this element, the distances are considered, which will be measured on roads passable all year, between the farm being evaluated and other pre-existing properties administered by INDER(*). To define this element, the three distance ranges included in table 2 were established. The information on said distances must be recorded in the preliminary inspection report.
(*) (Denomination modified by Article 14 of Law No. 9036 of May 11, 2012, "Transforms the Agrarian Development Institute (IDA) into the Rural Development Institute (INDER) and Creates the Technical Secretariat for Rural Development") To determine the points that the farm will obtain in this element, table 2 will be used and the procedure will be as follows:
- a)The distance is calculated, by road passable all year, from the farm to the institutional headquarters or to the nearest farm administered by INDER(*). The shorter of the two will be considered.
(*) (Denomination modified by Article 14 of Law No. 9036 of May 11, 2012, "Transforms the Agrarian Development Institute (IDA) into the Rural Development Institute (INDER) and Creates the Technical Secretariat for Rural Development") b) This distance is compared with the ranges established in table 2 to determine within which range it is located.
- c)The weighting factor assigned to that range is multiplied by the score assigned to this element and the result will correspond to the score obtained in it.
TABLE 2 RANGES AND WEIGHTING FACTORS DEFINED FOR THE ELEMENT "LOCATION RELATIVE TO OTHER PROPERTIES ADMINISTERED BY THE INSTITUTE"
| Ranges | Weighting factor |
|---|
| Distance from 0 to less than 10 kilometers | 1 |
| Distance from 10 to 20 kilometers | 0.4 |
| Distance greater than 20 kilometers | 0 |
The value assigned to this element is 5 points.
It is considered an important and limiting factor for a purchase that the properties studied meet the indispensable legal requirements so that the purchase can materialize. The aspects that will contribute scoring are the following:
- a)Offer to sell valid as of the qualification date.
- b)The properties have cadastral maps (planos catastrados) whose areas coincide with the areas registered in the Public Registry.
- c)The file contains certification from the Public Registry or Notary, stating that the registered area coincides with the area of the cadastral map and that the property belongs to the natural or legal person who submitted the offer to sell.
- d)The file contains certification from MINAE, National System of Conservation Areas (Sistema Nacional de Áreas de Conservación), stating that the property is not affected partially or totally by any protected wildlife area, whatever its management category, administered by MINAE.
- e)The file contains a certification of Legal Status (Personería Jurídica) issued by the Public Registry or Notarial, stating that the person who signed the offer to sell has the legal representation.
The distribution of points will be governed by what is indicated in the following table:
| Factor | Score |
|---|
| Valid offer to sell | | 1 |
| With cadastral maps | | 1 |
| Certification from the Public Registry or Notarial | | 1 |
| Certification from MINAE | | 1 |
| Certification of Legal Status and/or copy of identity card or identification document | | 1 |
II. INTERNAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE FARM (CARACTERÍSTICAS INTERNAS DE LA FINCA)
This category has a specific weight of: 45.00 points The minimum acceptable accumulated score in this category is: 25.35 points.
In this category, three important elements are considered that give indications about the potential of the farm for the development of a parcel settlement (asentamiento parcelario), such as land classes, water sources, and internal roads. They have a determining influence on other elements, also important, such as settlement capacity and acquisition price.
1. Land classes (Clases de tierras).
The value assigned to this element is: 35.00 points.
The minimum acceptable score is: 15.75 points.
Previously, a maximum acceptable 20% of the farm with lands affected by the limitations described in subsection "b" of Article 46 was defined. These limitations include, among other things, the presence of lands with forest aptitude (Class VI onwards). However, some exceptions are considered in this methodology, such as those farms, or sections thereof, with soils that, due to their topography or other characteristics, classify as Class VI, but which, because they present special conditions (volcanic origin, deep soils, high fertility, devoid of forest cover (cubierta forestal) or other), have an acceptable productive potential for the main agricultural activities of the area. As an exception, these lands will be considered, for weighting purposes, provided that in the respective agrological study, the mentioned conditions are described and technically justified. In these cases, INDER(*) must ensure that the farmers settled on these lands use appropriate soil protection and conservation practices.
(*) (Denomination modified by Article 14 of Law No. 9036 of May 11, 2012, "Transforms the Agrarian Development Institute (IDA) into the Rural Development Institute (INDER) and Creates the Technical Secretariat for Rural Development") The characterization of the lands, according to generally accepted technical standards, will be the responsibility of the technically trained person who carries out the agrological study. However, for the purposes of applying this weighting system, the Settlement Formation Department (Departamento Formación de Asentamientos) must include, as part of the procedure and structure of the corresponding report, an additional classification based on the concepts detailed below. In said report, it must be established, both for the total area of the farm and for the area occupied by each land class, the proportion thereof that is under the conditions of "Area affected by restrictions" and of "Area usable for agricultural production (Área útil para la producción agropecuaria)". These proportions must be represented in a sketch of the farm based on its cadastral map:
- a)Land classes I and II (suitable for intensive agriculture), with broad production alternatives and with water availability for production. These are lands with very few limitations that restrict the development of plants (agronomic crops), livestock activities (pastures), forests, wildlife, ecologically adapted to the area. In these lands, to supply agricultural needs, water availability is estimated to be good in summer, they have a good to fair distribution within the farm, and access to water sources is good.
- b)Land classes I and II with broad production alternatives and without water availability for production. These are lands with very few limitations that restrict the development of plants (agronomic crops), livestock activities (pastures), forests, wildlife, ecologically adapted to the area. Such lands do not have water sources or, if they do, their flow is insufficient to supply agricultural use needs during the summer; additionally, they may be inaccessible or poorly distributed.
- c)Land class III with moderate production alternatives and with water availability for production. These are lands suitable for intensive agriculture but present moderate restrictions, alone or combined, that reduce the choice of crops and require intensive soil and water management and conservation practices. In these lands, to supply agricultural needs, water availability is estimated to be good in summer, they have a good to fair distribution within the farm, and access to water sources is good.
- d)Land class III with moderate production alternatives and without water availability for production. These are lands suitable for intensive agriculture but present moderate restrictions, alone or combined, that reduce the choice of crops and require intensive soil and water management and conservation practices. Such lands do not have water sources or, if they do, their flow is insufficient to supply agricultural use needs during the summer; additionally, they may be inaccessible or poorly distributed.
- e)Land class IV, with production alternatives for crops such as coffee and vegetables. These are lands with strong limitations, alone or combined, that limit their use to permanent and semi-permanent vegetation and some occasional annuals, always with very intensive soil and water management and conservation practices. The agroecological conditions (soils and climate) of these lands favor the development of crops with good potential, such as coffee and high-altitude vegetables, mainly.
- f)Land class IV, with other production alternatives. These are lands with strong limitations, alone or combined, that limit their use to permanent and semi-permanent vegetation and some occasional annuals, always with very intensive soil and water management and conservation practices. These lands do not have the bioedaphic characteristics of the aforementioned crops and therefore their aptitude is confined to other crops, both long and intermediate cycle, and exceptionally, some annuals.
- g)Land class V, with production alternatives of coffee and vegetables. The lands of this class present severe limitations for the development of annual, semi-permanent, perennial crops or forest, except class V lands with edaphic conditions (depth) and climate that allow the development of coffee and vegetables.
- h)Land class V, with other production alternatives for sugarcane, pineapple, and rice. These are those lands classified as V, whose most severe restriction is low fertility, provided that effective depth and stoniness are not the limitations.
- i)Land class V, with other production alternatives. These are those grade V lands that present severe restrictions, alone or combined (depth, stoniness, fertility, textures, drainage, flooding, toxicity, and climate), among the most important, which restrict their use to pastures and natural forest management.
- j)Land class VI, with production alternatives of coffee, vegetables, and high-altitude fruit trees. The lands located within this class are used for forestry production, as well as fruit trees and coffee, whose main limitation is associated with slope. However, under favorable soil and climatic conditions, they have potential for the production of coffee, vegetables, and fruit trees, all of high altitude, provided that intensive soil and water management and conservation practices are carried out.
- k)Land class VI, without production alternatives. These are lands that present severe to very severe restrictions that make them unsuitable for crops and limit their use to forestry production.
For the weighting purposes of this element, table 3 will be used and the procedure will be as follows:
- a)The proportion of "Area usable for agricultural production" corresponding to each Land Class with respect to the total area of the farm is calculated and the result is expressed in percentage terms (%). The percentages obtained are recorded in the "Usable area by land class" column of table 3.
- b)The percentages obtained for each Class are multiplied by the corresponding percentage weight, established in the "Percentage Weight" column. This was defined for each of them, according to their estimated relative importance within the set. The results obtained are recorded in the "Weighting Factor" column and represent the partial contribution of each class to the weighting factor.
- c)The partial values obtained are added together in order to determine the weighting factor for the element "Land classes".
- d)The weighting factor is multiplied by the points assigned to this element and the product will be the score obtained by the farm in the element "Land classes".
TABLE 3 WEIGHTING FOR LAND CLASSES CONSIDERING PRODUCTION ALTERNATIVES
| Land Classes | Production Alternatives | Other important factors | Usable area by land class (%) | Percentage Weight | Weighting Factor |
|---|
| I and II | Broad | Availability of water for production | | 1 | |
| | Without water | | 0.75 | |
| III | Broad | Availability of water for production | | 0.85 | |
| | Without water | | 0.65 | |
| IV | Coffee and vegetables | | | 0.75 | |
| Other | | | 0.60 | |
| V | Coffee and vegetables | | | 0.55 | |
| Sugarcane, pineapple and rice | | | 0.45 | |
| Other | | | 0.25 | |
| VI | Coffee and vegetables | | | 0.50 | |
| Without alternatives | | | 0 | |
| | | | SUM | |
2. Natural Surface Water Sources (Fuentes Naturales de Agua Superficial).
The value assigned to this element is: 10.00 points.
This is another important factor as it influences the development alternatives of the farm. This element weighs the existence and availability of surface water on the farm through the combination of several components. Firstly, it is taken into account whether the water sources have flow, available during the summer, sufficient to supply the agricultural needs of the future settlers. For this purpose, the following three levels are considered: good, fair, and none. Secondly, the spatial distribution of the flow within the property is considered, and lastly, the ease of access to the flow for its use in the development of the farm. In these last two components, three levels are also considered: good, fair, and poor.
The characterization of natural water sources will be the responsibility of the technically trained person who prepares the agrological study. The Settlement Formation Department (Depto. Formación de Asentamientos) must include in the procedure for preparing that study and in the structure of the respective report, a chapter on this topic incorporating the following concepts:
- a)Good water availability in summer. Refers to the presence of adequate water flow to supply agricultural needs during the summer.
- b)Fair water availability in summer. The water sources are insufficient to supply agricultural needs during the summer.
- c)No water availability in summer. No water resources exist for agricultural tasks during the summer.
- d)Good distribution within the farm. The water sources are spatially distributed in an equitable manner within the farm.
- e)Fair distribution within the farm. The water resources are located unevenly distributed within the farm.
- f)Poor distribution within the farm. The water sources for agricultural use are located only in one sector of the farm.
- g)Good access to water sources. The water resources occur in shallow channels, with inclined banks close to the ground surface and therefore easily usable.
- h)Fair access to water sources. The water sources are located in moderately deep and canyon-like channels with a tendency towards verticality; these conditions limit access to the water sources.
- i)Poor access to water sources. The water flow for agricultural use occurs in deep and vertical channels, which makes it very difficult or inaccessible for agricultural use.
For the purpose of calculating the weighting factor, each component was assigned a percentage weight according to its relative importance within the element "natural surface water sources," and each level was assigned a percentage weight in relation to the value that each particular component acquires (see table 4).
TABLE 4 DEFINITION OF COMPONENTS, LEVELS, AND THEIR RESPECTIVE PERCENTAGE WEIGHTS FOR THE ELEMENT NATURAL SURFACE WATER SOURCES
| Weight of the components | | | | | | | | | |
|---|
| Water availability in summer 60% | | Distribution within the farm 25% | | Access to water sources 15% | | | | | |
| Good | Fair | None | Good | Fair | Poor | Good | Fair | Poor |
| 100% | 60% | 0% | 100% | 60% | 10% | 100% | 60% | 10% |
The determination of the weighting factor for this element will be made using the following formula:
F = A.a + B.b + C.c, where:
F = Weighting factor A = Percentage weight of the component "Water availability in summer" established in table 4 = (0.6) a = Percentage weight according to the characterization of the component "Water availability in summer" on the farm under study contained in the agrological study report (Good = 1, Fair = 0.6, None = 0) B = Percentage weight of the component "Distribution within the farm" according to table 4 = (0.25) b = Percentage weight according to the characterization of the component "Distribution within the farm," on the farm under study contained in the agrological study report (Good = 1, Fair = 0.6 and Poor = 0.1) C = Percentage weight assigned to the component "Access to water sources" according to table 4 = (0.15) c = Percentage weight according to the characterization of the component "Access to water sources" on the farm under study contained in the agrological study report (Good = 1, Fair = 0.6 and Poor = 0.1) To determine the points that the farm will obtain in this element, the following procedure will be used:
- a)The characterizations for each component and level of the element "natural surface water sources," present in the agrological study report, are identified.
- b)The weighting factor is calculated using the formula described above, for which the values contained in table 4 are used, according to the characterization identified in the previous point.
- c)The weighting factor obtained is multiplied by the score assigned to the element.
- d)The resulting product will be the value of the element for that particular farm.
III. EXTERNAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE FARM (CARACTERÍSTICAS EXTERNAS DE LA FINCA)
This category has a specific weight of: 25.00 points.
Here, the main conditions of the farm's surroundings that may influence its potential productive development as well as the quality of life of the population of the future settlement are evaluated.
1. QUALITY OF ACCESS (CALIDAD DEL ACCESO).
The value assigned to this element is: 10.00 points.
Access is one of the most important elements to consider. On its presence and quality depends, among other things, the flow of inputs and products to and from the farm as well as the ease of movement of the population to be settled towards other services indispensable for their well-being. In this element, the communication routes existing between the entrance boundary of the farm and the nearest populated center that has at least the following basic services will be valued: drinking water, electricity, telephone, school, health post, public transportation, and supply of basic necessity items. The characteristics to consider for the weighting will be: the existence of a road or space for its construction, the length of the road, and the construction material. The weighting factor is calculated by interrelating these characteristics using the following formula:
F = LP/LT x P + Ll/ LT x l + Lt/ LT x t + Lsc/ LT x SC Where:
F = Weighting factor LT = Total length of the route LP = Length of road with pavement Ll = Length of gravel road (lastre) Lt = Length of dirt road (tierra) Lsc = Length without a constructed road P = 1 (Percentage weight of paved road = 100%) l = 0.7 (Percentage weight of gravel road = 70%) t = 0.3 (Percentage weight of dirt road = 30%) SC = 0 (Percentage weight of the existence of space for a public road, but no road is constructed = 0%).
The determination of the total length of the route as well as the sections with pavement, gravel, dirt, or without a constructed road, will be the responsibility of the person conducting the appraisal study (estudio de avalúo). The Settlement Formation Department (Departamento Formación de Asentamientos) must include in the procedure for preparing the appraisal as well as in the structure of the respective report, a chapter on this topic that incorporates the concepts previously defined.
To calculate the points that the farm will obtain in this element, the procedure will be as follows:
- a)The values of the total length of the route and of the sections with pavement, gravel, dirt, or without a constructed road that were established in the corresponding appraisal study are identified.
- b)The values are substituted into the described formula and the operations are carried out in order to obtain the weighting factor.
- c)The weighting factor obtained is multiplied by the score assigned to this element. The result will constitute the score obtained by the farm given its particular access conditions.
2. SUPPORT SERVICES FOR THE POPULATION (SERVICIOS DE APOYO A LA POBLACIÓN).
The value assigned to this element is: 8.00 points.
This element considers the presence and distance, from the farm, to public or private services, oriented mainly to improving the quality of life of the population.
For the weighting of this element, the main services associated with improving the quality of life of the population were considered, such as: drinking water, education, health, electricity, telephony, public transportation, and commerce. Each service was assigned a percentage weight according to the estimation of its relative importance within the set of services. Furthermore, three levels of access were defined for each service, so that access can be classified as good, acceptable, or difficult. These levels were also assigned a percentage weight in relation to the value of each particular component.
The characterization of access to support services for the population is the responsibility of the person conducting the appraisal study. The Settlement Formation Department must include in the procedure for preparing the appraisal, as well as in the outline of the respective report, a chapter on this topic that incorporates the following concepts:
- a)Good access to water sources for domestic consumption: When, at a distance of less than 1 kilometer from the farm's boundaries, there are water sources with the capacity and quality to supply the domestic consumption needs of the population to be settled on the farm.
- b)Acceptable access to water sources for domestic consumption: When, at a distance between 1 and 5 kilometers from the farm's boundaries, there are water sources with the capacity and quality to supply the domestic consumption needs of the population to be settled on the farm.
- c)Difficult access to water sources for domestic consumption: When there are water sources with the capacity and quality to supply the domestic consumption needs of the population to be settled on the farm, but these are located at a distance greater than 5 kilometers from the farm's boundaries.
- d)Good access to education services: When there is a primary school at a distance of less than 5 kilometers from the entrance boundary to the farm, by road passable all year.
- e)Acceptable access to education services: When there is a primary school at a distance between 5 and 10 kilometers from the entrance boundary to the farm, by road passable all year.
- f)Difficult access to education services: When the primary school is located at a distance of more than 10 kilometers from the entrance boundary to the farm, by road passable all year.
- g)Good access to health services: When there is a health center or EBAIS, with daily medical assistance, at a distance of less than ten kilometers from the entrance boundary to the farm, by road passable all year.
- h)Acceptable access to health services: When there is a health center or EBAIS, with daily medical assistance, at a distance between ten and fifteen kilometers from the entrance boundary to the farm, by road passable all year.
- i)Difficult access to health services: When the health center or EBAIS, with daily medical assistance, is located at a distance greater than fifteen kilometers from the entrance boundary to the farm, by road passable all year.
- j)Good access to electricity services: When the source of electrical energy, with the capacity to supply the needs of the population to be settled on the farm, is at a distance of less than 1 kilometer from that boundary that presents the greatest technical and legal facilities for the entry of this service.
- k)Acceptable access to electricity services: When the source of electrical energy, with the capacity to supply the needs of the population to be settled on the farm, is at a distance between 1 and 3 kilometers from that boundary that presents the greatest technical and legal facilities for the entry of this service.
- l)Difficult access to electricity services: When the source of electrical energy, with the capacity to supply the needs of the population to be settled on the farm, is at a distance greater than 3 kilometers from that boundary that presents the greatest technical and legal facilities for the entry of this service.
- m)Good access to public transportation services: When the access point to public transportation, which goes to the nearest service center, with a minimum frequency of once per day, is less than five kilometers from the entrance boundary to the farm.
- n)Acceptable access to public transportation services: When the point of access to public transportation, which goes to the nearest service center, with a minimum frequency of once per day, is at a distance of between five and ten kilometers from the farm's entrance boundary.
- o)Difficult access to public transportation services: When the point of access to public transportation that goes to the nearest service center, with a minimum frequency of once per day, is more than ten kilometers from the farm's entrance boundary.
- p)Good access to commerce services: When the supplier of basic products for human consumption is located at a distance of less than five kilometers from the farm's entrance boundary, via a road passable all year.
- q)Acceptable access to commerce services: When the supplier of basic products for human consumption is located at a distance of between five and ten kilometers from the farm's entrance boundary, via a road passable all year.
- r)Difficult access to commerce services: When the supplier of basic products for human consumption is located at a distance of more than ten kilometers from the farm's entrance boundary, via a road passable all year.
- s)Good access to telephone services: When the nearest public telephone is located at a distance of less than five kilometers from the farm's entrance boundary, via a road passable all year.
- t)Acceptable access to telephone services: When the nearest public telephone is located at a distance of between five and ten kilometers from the farm's entrance boundary, via a road passable all year.
- u)Difficult access to telephone services: When the nearest public telephone is located at a distance of more than ten kilometers from the farm's entrance boundary, via a road passable all year.
The calculation of the weighting factor and the points that this element will contribute shall be carried out using Table 6 according to the following procedure:
- a)The characterization carried out by the person responsible for the appraisal (avalúo) study is identified, with respect to each of the population support services considered, and compared with the three levels established in the "Access Quality" column of Table 6. The figure corresponding to it in said column will be the percentage weight of that service in the weighting factor.
- b)The value identified for each service is recorded in the last column called "Weighting Factor". These values represent the partial contribution that each service makes to the weighting factor.
- c)The partial values recorded in the "Weighting Factor" column are summed, and the result will be the weighting factor for the element "Population Support Services".
- d)The weighting factor is multiplied by the score assigned to the element, and the product will be the score obtained by the farm in relation to the possibility of access to population support services.
TABLE 6 DETERMINATION OF THE WEIGHTING FACTOR FOR THE ELEMENT "POPULATION SUPPORT SERVICES" ACCESS QUALITY WEIGHTING Good Acceptable Difficult FACTOR SERVICE (100%) (50%) (0) 1. Water for domestic consumption 0.20 0.10 0 2. Education 0.20 0.10 0 3. Health 0.15 0.075 0 4. Electricity 0.10 0.05 0 5. Public transportation 0.10 0.05 0 6. Commerce 0.20 0.10 0 7. Telephone 0.05 0.025 0 SUM 3. PRODUCTION SUPPORT SERVICES.
The value assigned to this element is: 7.00 points.
Through this element, the presence of and distance to the main public and private services aimed at promoting productive development and the marketing of products are assessed, such as: technical assistance, sale of agricultural inputs, credit sources, and marketing channels for agricultural products. As in the previous element, three access levels and the corresponding percentage weights were defined here for both the services and the access levels.
The characterization of access to production support services corresponds to the person responsible for conducting the appraisal (avalúo) study. The Settlement Formation Department (Departamento Formación de Asentamientos) must include in the appraisal preparation procedure, as well as in the outline of the respective report, a chapter on this topic incorporating the following concepts:
- a)Good access to marketing channels. The marketing centers for the main agricultural products typical of the area are located less than five kilometers from the farm's entrance boundary.
- b)Acceptable access to marketing channels. The marketing centers for the main agricultural products typical of the area are located at a distance of between five and twelve kilometers from the farm's entrance boundary.
- c)Difficult access to marketing channels. The marketing centers for the main agricultural products typical of the area are located more than twelve kilometers from the farm's entrance boundary.
- d)Good access to technical assistance sources. The technical assistance centers are located less than ten kilometers from the farm's entrance boundary.
- e)Acceptable access to technical assistance sources. The technical assistance centers are located at a distance of between ten and thirty kilometers from the farm's entrance boundary.
- f)Difficult access to technical assistance sources. The technical assistance centers are located more than thirty kilometers from the farm's entrance boundary.
- g)Good access to agricultural input suppliers. The agricultural input trade centers are located less than five kilometers from the farm's entrance boundary.
- h)Acceptable access to agricultural input suppliers. The agricultural input trade centers are located at a distance of between five and fifteen kilometers from the farm's entrance boundary.
- i)Difficult access to agricultural input suppliers. The agricultural input trade centers are located more than fifteen kilometers from the farm's entrance boundary.
- j)Good access to agricultural credit sources. The banking services for agricultural and livestock credit are available less than ten kilometers from the farm's entrance boundary.
- k)Acceptable access to agricultural credit sources. The banking services for agricultural and livestock credit are available at a distance of between ten and twenty-five kilometers from the farm's entrance boundary.
- l)Difficult access to agricultural credit sources. The banking services for agricultural and livestock credit are available more than twenty-five kilometers from the farm's entrance boundary.
The determination of the weighting factor and the points that this element will contribute shall be carried out using Table 7, and the same procedure indicated in the previous element for the use of Table 6 shall be applied.
TABLE 7 DETERMINATION OF THE WEIGHTING FACTOR FOR "PRODUCTION SUPPORT SERVICES" ACCESS QUALITY WEIGHTING Good Acceptable Difficult FACTOR SERVICE (100%) (70%) (20%) 1. Access to marketing channels 0.40 0.28 0.08 2. Access to technical assistance sources 0.15 0.105 0.03 3. Access to input suppliers 0.30 0.21 0.06 4. Access to credit sources 0.15 0.105 0.03 SUM
IV. SOCIOECONOMIC ASPECTS
This category has a specific weight of: 15.00 points.
Under this concept are grouped some elements of importance for decision-making. Through the methodology used in this point, important aspects are related, such as the farm's potential for agricultural production, through the production alternatives; the settlement capacity, through the estimation of the land-family ratio; and, finally, the estimation of the average cost per parcel. Table 8 presents this relationship according to the characteristics of each region and subregion.
TABLE 8 PROJECTION OF THE AVERAGE COST PER PARCEL AND ESTIMATION OF THE FAMILY ACCOMMODATION CAPACITY BASED ON THE MAIN PRODUCTION ALTERNATIVES ACCORDING TO REGION AND SUBREGION Land-family Average cost ratio per parcel average colones/ Region/ Production hectares/ parcel Subregion Alternatives family (1) CHOROTEGA Santa Cruz Coffee 3.00 2,250,000 Cañas Vegetables 2.50 2,000,000 Liberia Coffee 3.00 1,950,000 Vegetables 3.00 2,250,000 Vegetables 3.00 1,800,000 HUETAR NORTE Santa Rosa Roots-annual crops 5.00 2,000,000 Pastures-citrus 5.00 2,000,000 Guatuso Roots-plantain-pineapple 4.00 2,600,000 Upala Roots-plantain-pineapple 4.00 2,400,000 Ciudad Quesada Roots-pineapple 4.00 3,200,000 HEREDIA La Virgen Roots-pineapple 5.00 2,500,000 Horquetas Roots 4.00 2,000,000 Roots-pineapple 5.00 2,500,000 Roots 4.00 2,000,000 BRUNCA Coto Brus Coffee-plantain 4.00 2,400,000 Coffee 4.00 2,400,000 Corn-bean 5.00 2,000,000 Piedras Blancas Oil palm 9.00 3,600,000 Osa Plantain 4.00 2,400,000 San Isidro Coffee 4.00 2,800,000 Corn-bean 5.00 2,000,000 CENTRAL Grecia Vegetables 1.00 3,200,000 Turrialba Coffee-vegetables 1.20 1,200,000 Vegetables 1.70 1,700,000 Cartago Chili-tomato 0.65 3,200,000 Lettuce-squash 1.20 3,600,000 Potato-onion 0.90 3,150,000 Cabbage-onion 0.70 2,200,000 PACÍFICO CENTRAL Parrita Watermelon-melon 2.50 2,000,000 Paquera Watermelon-melon 2.00 2,400,000 Orotina Mango-watermelon-melon 3.00 2,700,000 HUETAR ATLÁNTICA Siquirres Roots-plantain-pineapple 4.00 2,800,000 Cariari Roots-plantain-pineapple 4.00 3,200,000 Roots-plantain-corn 4.00 3,200,000 Talamanca Plantain 3.00 2,400,000 Batán Roots-plantain-pineapple 4.00 2,800,000 Source: Information provided by the Regional Headquarters to the Settlement Formation Department (Departamento Formación de Asentamientos) and recent appraisals of farms in each zone.
(1) Average exchange rate in May 2002: 356 colones per dollar.
To determine the weighting factor and the points that the farm will obtain in this element, Tables 8 and 9 shall be used, and the following procedure shall be applied:
- a)By means of the information contained in the farm's file (expediente), the region, subregion, and production alternatives associated with it are identified.
- b)With this information, Table 8 is consulted to determine the estimated land-family ratio and the projected average cost per parcel that theoretically correspond to the farm.
- c)The following formula is applied to update the parcel value that appears in Table 8. WARNING: The use of the dollar value as a tool for updating the land value is merely indicative. When applying this procedure, it is advisable to analyze and consider other factors that may have affected the average land price in each zone.
Va = Vp x TCD / TCA, where:
Va = updated average value per parcel in the region and subregion.
Vp = average value per parcel in the region and subregion (value appearing in Table 8).
TCD = exchange rate of the colón against the dollar on the day the update is made.
TCA = exchange rate of the colón against the dollar on the day the first average cost per parcel calculation appearing in Table 8 was made (average exchange rate in May 2002: 356 colones per dollar).
The result is the updated average value or cost per parcel for the region and subregion where the farm under study is located.
- d)The cost per parcel on the farm under study is estimated. For this, the following formula is used:
Vn = P X RTFe, where:
Vn = estimated value per parcel on the farm under study.
P = the lower price chosen between the price appearing in the appraisal (avalúo) and the price appearing in the sale offer.
RTFe = estimated Land-Family Ratio obtained by consulting Table 8.
- e)The comparative value or price per parcel on the farm under study is calculated using the following formula:
Vc = Vn / Va x 100, where:
Vc = comparative value or price per parcel on the farm under study.
Vn = estimated value or price per parcel on the farm under study.
Va = updated average value or price per parcel in the region and subregion.
- f)The Vc value obtained is compared with the ranges of comparative values or prices appearing in Table 9 to identify in which range the Vc value obtained falls. The weighting factor corresponding to that range will be the one used for the farm under study.
- g)The score assigned to the "Socioeconomic Aspects" element is multiplied by the weighting factor defined in the previous step to obtain the score that corresponds to the farm under study, in this particular element.
TABLE 9 DETERMINATION OF THE WEIGHTING FACTOR FOR THE ELEMENT "SOCIOECONOMIC ASPECTS" Comparative Price Weighting Factor Vc less than 95% 1 Vc from 95% to less than 100% 0.95 Vc from 100% to less than 110% 0.85 Vc from 110% to less than 120% 0.75 Vc from 120% to less than 130% 0.65 Vc from 130% to less than 140% 0.45 Vc from 140% to less than 150% 0.35 Vc from 150% to less than 160% 0.25 Vc from 160% to less than 170% 0.10 Vc greater than 170% 0 (As PARTIALLY AND EXPRESSLY AMENDED by Session No. 035-03, of July 21, 2003, published in La Gaceta No. 150 of August 6, 2003.)
Criteria for the analysis and recommendation of farms oriented to the development of family farms (granjas familiares) In this weighting scale, the main elements to consider in the analysis of farms that have the possibility of being acquired to form settlements oriented toward agricultural production for family consumption and housing construction (family farms, granjas familiares) have been identified. A relative individual value has been assigned to each element in such a way that a farm with ideal characteristics would result in a score of 100 points defined by the maximum values of each element. Likewise, the scale indicates the minimum conditions that a farm must have for its acquisition to be considered. For this, a minimum quantity of points that the farm must meet has been defined for each element, which does not necessarily coincide with the lowest possible score for that element. The minimum conditions, in the case of farms oriented to the development of family farms (granjas familiares), total 60.5 points, of which a minimum of 12.80 points must be contributed by the element "Physical Conditions for Construction" and a minimum of 6.30 points by the element "Population Support Services." The provisions of this section shall apply to the cases described in Chapter V of these Regulations (Reglamento).
When a farm presents one or more of the following conditions, it shall be disqualified from the acquisition process:
- a)The conditions described in Article 46 of these Regulations (Reglamento).
- b)When the combined proportion of the factors defined in point II.2 of Article 48, or of these factors and the conditions mentioned in subsection "b" of Article 46, with respect to the total area of the farm, is greater than 20%.
- c)The non-existence of access roads.