Agricultura, sociedad y desarrollo

Analysis of the amaranth value chain in the State of Mexico.

2025-09-12T23:55:49+00:00

The objective of this research was to analyze the amaranth value chain in the State of Mexico, considering the relationships established between actors, their functions, and the factors that affect competitiveness. Two working panels were formed in April and October 2023, with the participation of 17 experts on the subject. Surveys were conducted from May to September 2023, with input suppliers, producers, collectors, processors, consumers, and government institution agents. It was found that the relationships between input and agricultural machinery suppliers and producers are commercial; government institutions offer advice and generate research, such as adapting implements, together with large producers. The organization is informal, made up of 10 to 15 producers, without considering a legal entity. Of the survey respondents, 4% reported being involved in grain collecting or marketing, while 92% seek marketing channels through their own means. The collectors set the price of the grain. Processors establish links with large producers; however, with medium and small producers, these relationships are almost nonexistent. A financing scheme for amaranth production is required, as well as the adoption of technologies appropriate to the region; agroindustries are absent. The need for formal organizations to generate economies of scale and create an amaranth production system stands out.

Sub-sectors related to the agricultural sector and to demand from the United States of America.

2025-09-12T23:55:43+00:00

In this article, we aim to determine the relationship between various industrial subsectors linked to Mexico’s agricultural sector, as well as to demand in the United States. Twenty co-integration tests and four data panels were implemented in five subsectors linked to Mexico’s agricultural sector and to demand in the United States. The latter is represented by consumption expenditure and personal income in the United States. Results from co-integration tests indicate that the subsectors linked to Mexico’s agricultural sector are not co-integrated with consumption expenditure and personal income in the United States; and the data panels corroborate the results from the co-integration tests. We conclude that the subsectors linked to Mexico’s agricultural sector are not co-integrated with demand from the United States of America despite trade agreements, and that although Mexico’s agricultural sector is co-integrated with demand from the United States of America; this does not benefit its subsectors. Therefore, areas of opportunity still exist, where policies could be created to support producers, so they can co-integrate with demand from the United States of America, and where those sectors that are already co-integrated can create production chains and benefit other sectors and subsectors.

Biocultural importance and conservation strategies for native maize in San Juan Yautepec-Nñantde Bótda, Mexico.

2025-09-12T23:55:37+00:00

Biocultural importance refers to the meaning or value that a human group assigns to the link between nature and culture, in time and space. The objective was to analyze the biocultural importance of native maize in San Juan Yautepec- Nñantde Bótda, in order to formulate conservation strategies. Research was carried out in San Juan Yautepec, Huixquilucan, State of Mexico, through participatory research, from December 2022 to February 2024. Maize was collected and ethnotaxa were identified. Seventeen in-depth interviews were conducted with peasants. Note was taken of the Food Security Index (FSI) and maize dishes. Two participatory workshops were held to document the work calendar and identify conservation strategies. The community’s “white” maize (Ma t´si taxka dethö) pertains to the Chalqueño species or cream-colored group, and the “blue” maize (Ma t´si modijä) pertains to the Elotes Chalqueños sub-species; their Otomi names indicate respect for maize. We classified prepared foods as either every day, festive or survival cooking. According to the FSI, only three families are self-sufficient in maize; however, peasants continue to plant maize for reasons of taste and identity. The current calendar of maize tasks consists of 27 cultural and agricultural activities. Due to the importance of maize, the community proposed 16 groups of conservation proposals; one of these was the Maize Fair, where 11 activities focused on its revaluation were implemented.

Estimate of potential economic income from home gardens in Palenque, Chiapas, Mexico.

2025-09-12T23:55:30+00:00

The productive condition of the home gardens in the area does not contribute to reducing the costs of living of the families neither supply the products that the families require, because the sizes of the home gardens offer little productive guarantee. Therefore, this work aimed to estimate the economic and productive potential of family gardens in relation to the diversity of useful plants species present in the area. A semi-structured interview was applied to 43 heads of families. Depending on the size, the orchards were grouped as small, medium and large orchards. The monthly family consumption of fruit and vegetable products and their methods of obtaining were identified and the economic contribution generated by the implementation of a family vegetable home garden of 132 m² in the Ejido Nueva Esperanza section first, Palenque Chiapas, was estimated. The production of each home garden and the economic contribution generated to the family were estimated; the income generated in the model vegetable garden was also estimated. It is concluded that families allocate up to 68% of their monthly income for the acquisition of consumer fruit and vegetable products, but working a garden of 132 m² with short-cycle vegetables could obtain savings of up to 74%.

Estimation of the forest area required for water sustainability of avocado in the south of the State of Mexico.

2025-09-12T23:55:23+00:00

This study analyzes the relationship between forest cover and water supply required for avocado (Persea americana) cultivation, in order to determine a balance between these two; based on the “Water Yield” model, which makes it possible to quantify water production in a specific watershed. The results obtained enable establishing the amount of forest needed to provide adequate water supply for avocado, in the context of the growing demand for this agro-food product worldwide. In this sense, it is possible to outline the guidelines for reflecting on changes in land use in the territory, based on the switch to avocado cultivation, so that an alteration in water availability can be avoided. We conclude that in the southern region of the State of Mexico, considering the regulatory impact of forest, it appears that the proportion required to provide water to one hectare of avocado is 1.35 ha.

Urban agriculture in Mexico: evaluation of its technical, political, economic, and energy efficient feasibility and viability.

2025-09-12T23:55:17+00:00

Urban agriculture (UA) is a practice that involves growing food in spaces within or on the outskirts of urban areas, thereby fostering subsistence, commerce, and recreation. UA contributes to food security, income generation, natural resource conservation, climate change mitigation, and improved quality of life for the urban population. However, it also faces technical, political, and economic challenges that limit its development and expansion. This article presents an analysis of technical and energy efficiency feasibility, as well as the political and economic viability of urban agriculture in Mexico, considering its advantages and disadvantages, as well as the climatic and geographic conditions that favor soilless cultivation for the optimization of water and nutrient use. To this end, a methodology based on the PRISMA protocol is proposed, consisting of a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies on urban agriculture in Mexico and their respective implications, and varied challenges. The purpose of this article is to present scientific evidence on the technical, economic, and energy feasibility of urban agriculture. This scientific evidence may contribute to the implementation of public policies that promote sustainable UA.

Towards the convergence of two scientific research agendas: sustainable development and value chains.

2025-09-17T23:58:12+00:00

Sustainable development has become a prominent concept in the global political, economic, social and scientific agendas, due to the urgent need for transformation of social and economic systems to satisfy the present needs, without compromising future resources. These changes impact different socioeconomic aspects, especially the organization of production through value chains. This article focuses on the convergence between research agendas about sustainable development and value chains, inquiring into the central question: What type of thematic convergence is observed between these agendas? To address the objective, a bibliometric methodology is used, highlighting the analysis of word networks, co-occurrence networks, and conceptual structure of scientific publications. The results reveal annual growth of 45% in the number of scientific publications during the period examined, which tripled in the most recent period (2015 to 2021). In the network analysis, 20 thematic clusters were identified resulting from the convergence, with three highly interconnected central nodes standing out: Global Value Chains, governance, and sustainability management. In the Sustainable Development Objectives, other themes stand out, such as corporate participation, impact of emerging technologies in commercial strategies, Industry 4.0, and circular economy. The convergence of research agendas reflects the investigative evolution on global preoccupations and the need for integrated approaches. In addition, it represents an inter-, multi- and trans-disciplinary process that facilitates the generation of new knowledge to approach complex contemporary challenges.

Typology of maize producers in Tepatitlán de Morelos, Jalisco, Mexico.

2025-09-17T23:58:06+00:00

Given the relevance of rainfed maize cultivation among farmers of the municipality of Tepatitlán de Morelos, a typification and characterization of the producers was conducted, with the purpose of generating useful information for decision making of the stakeholders involved in this agricultural activity. Four key components were identified through cluster and discriminant principal components analysis, with economic, sociodemographic and land area, and related to agricultural practices. The results allowed identifying three groups of producers with different levels of profitability, experience and technical skills, related to the final product, whether grain, fodder or stubble. In general terms, maize production in the study region is profitable. In addition, given the importance of livestock production in the zone, opportunities were identified to benefit both agricultural and livestock production activities. To increase the sustainability and profitability of production units, it is fundamental to implement training strategies to address the specific needs of each group identified. This would allow optimizing the agricultural practices and making the most of the resources available in the region.

Knowledge co-production in bee studies in latin american coffee agroecosystems: a meta-narrative review.

2025-09-17T23:58:00+00:00

Knowledge co-production is key to designing strategies for the use and conservation of pollinators relevant to local contexts. However, the inclusion of diverse actors in research processes does not guarantee a real integration of knowledge. This study analyzes how local knowledge has been incorporated in research on bees in coffee agroecosystems in Latin America. Through a meta-narrative review of studies published between 1993 and 2022, the participation of non-academic actors was evaluated from a transdisciplinary research approach (TDR). The results indicate that, although 63.5% of the studies reviewed in depth involve producers, there is scarce collaborative definition of problems, joint methodological construction, or return of results. Four types of studies were identified according to their objectives: those that describe biotic elements of the coffee-bee system (48.6%), those that analyze beekeeping management practices (31.1%), those that address socioecological connectivity (6.8%), and those that systematize non-academic perceptions of pollinators (13.5%). The review highlights the need to strengthen the processes of knowledge co-production through the explicitness of accessible theoretical and methodological bases, the creation of spaces for horizontal exchange, and the active participation of peasant organizations and other non-academic actors. Overall, the findings offer an overview of the current state of research and underscore the need for more collaborative, inclusive and contextualized approaches to address sustainability challenges in Latin American coffee agroecosystems.