Territorial resilience: articulating resources, social capital and adaptability in livestock microenterprises in Tantoyuca, Veracruz.
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.22231/asyd.v23i1.1769Keywords:
adaptive capacity, local exchange circuits, relational assets, socio-territorial assetsAbstract
This research analyzed the adaptation mechanisms of a small livestock enterprise, specializing in the fattening of semi-penned cattle in the face of disruptions caused by COVID-19. It revealed a conceptual framework for territorial resilience based on three interconnected support mechanisms. Three production cycles (pre-pandemic, pandemic, and post-pandemic) were studied, applying a longitudinal design that combined semi-structured interviews, direct observation, and quantitative analysis of production costs. A hierarchical model was used to analyze the supply chain, examining production efficiencies and strategic adaptations. Results indicated that resilience was based on three support mechanisms: (1) local resources (38 ha, 3 water holes), which reduced dependence on external inputs by 27%, (2) relational assets, community networks (trust networks with 68% of recurring customers) and (3) adaptive capacity that prioritized local exchange circuits (92% of sales ≤50 km). This network made it possible to maintain 100% operability and ensure a rapid recovery with profit margins that went from 11% during the crisis to 21.2% in the post-pandemic phase. Among the adaptive innovations based on tacit knowledge, the temporary substitution of balanced feed with orange peel and the autonomous production of corn silage stand out. The study provides a conceptual framework for understanding resilience in disruptive contexts, not as an intrinsic attribute of geographic space, but as the result of active strategies that link local scales with external markets. It highlights the importance of operational flexibility and networks of trust for the sustainability of rural microenterprises.
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