PERSPECTIVES OF TRADITIONAL FARMING PRODUCTION UNITS IN THE YUCATAN PENINSULA: A CASE STUDY

Abstract

The Yucatán Península located in the Southeastern part of México, has an area of about 140 000 km2 and nearly 4 million inhabitants. The dramatic increase in population, the deforestation of large areas to establish pastures, and lately the implementation of neo-liberal economic reforms, have brought about a rapid decline of the production capabilities of the traditional Maya farmer. Traditional farms account for more than 95 % out of a total of about 170 000 agricultural production units in the península. This translates into approximately 160 000 nuclear families, estimated to have over 800 000 people. The typical farm has a diversified production arising from small livestock holdings, a vegetable garden, an orchard, and 2 to 4 ha of milpa. Milpa is the area where maize (Zea mays L.), lima beans (Phaseolus lunatus L.), beans (P. vulgaris L.) and squash (Cucurbita pepo L.) are produced using shifting cultivation. Currently, the traditional farmer in Yucatán is not producing enough food for himself and his family. Farm income is complemented by off-farm income from jobs as labourers in the cities. New pests and diseases have had an adverse impact on livestock and vegetables, prices of local varieties have decreased due to the introduction of new varieties and the yields of milpa have been decreased because of the shortening of fallow periods in their shifting cultivation system. This paper presents in financial terms the results obtained only in one traditional farm in Hecelchakán, Campeche. These results suggest that if properly improved, a traditional farm can provide the basic food requirements for the farmers and their families, while increasing both productive activities and income. The results showed increases in the production of maize, livestock and fruits. It was found that in this case the improved traditional farming was financially sound, and had achieved a sustainable production with no noticeable disruption of its actual social organization.