Agricultura, Sociedad y Desarrollo

Human and productive processes of women in Nacarare, Guazapares, Chihuahua.

Ricardo Aarón González Aldana — 2026-01-02

The research focused on the sembrador@s (planters) collective, whose members referred to the Sowing Life Program (Sembrando Vida, SV). The objective of this study was to describe, from the perspective of social actors, how the SV program reached the Nacarare community and the ways in which it has impacted their living conditions, the empowerment of women, and the promotion of networks and social capital. The study was qualitative, using phenomenological, hermeneutic, analytical, and synthetic methods. The data collection techniques were interviews and direct observation; the unit of analysis was the individuals comprising the collective, made up of fifteen indigenous women, six mestizo women, four indigenous men, and two mestizo women. The results show that social capital was fostered in terms of the trust generated between community members and the outreach to other groups, creating networks of relationships, the presence of gender equity among the members of sembrador@s, and the acceptance of female leadership. Likewise, the equitable organization and neutralization of certain sexist models generated significant changes in the development of the locality and improved the living conditions of its members. The Nacarare collective demonstrated the empowerment of women through the SV program; they became key agents of economic, environmental, and social change in their community.

Economic feasibility of an increase in mexican cucumber exports to the United States: analysis of elasticity.

Daniel Hernández Soto — 2026-01-02

Mexico is the principal exporter of cucumber (Cucumis sativus), while the United States is the main importer; to supplement its domestic consumption, it mainly imports from Mexico. Furthermore, between 1989 and 2023, imports of Mexican products into the United States increased at an average annual growth rate of 4.54%. This study analyzes the economic viability of increasing the quantity of Mexican cucumber exported to the United States, with emphasis on the export capacities of Sinaloa, Sonora, and Michoacán. Using an econometric model that incorporates price elasticity related to changes in demand, we project a 10% increase in exports, and evaluate impact on prices and traded volumes. Results suggest that price elasticity related to changes in demand plays a key role in determining whether increased export quantities generate net benefits for Mexican producers. The states of Sinaloa, Sonora, and Michoacán are the main producers, contributing 63.66% of national exports.

Socioeconomic and competitive importance of the production chain of garlic (Allium sativum) in Zacatecas, Mexico.

Blanca Isabel Sánchez-Toledano — 2026-01-02

Zacatecas is the main garlic producing state in Mexico, so it is pertinent to locate the positioning of the production chain in the agricultural and livestock sector of the state, with the aim of suggesting strategies that foster its participation in the markets. The objective was to determine the socioeconomic and competitive importance of the garlic chain in the state of Zacatecas, to have information that supports the design of strategies and actions directed at maintaining or improving its positioning in the farming sector of the state. The methodology from the International Service for National Agricultural Research (ISNAR) was used to organize hierarchically the production chains in Zacatecas, based on weighted criteria, and to locate each chain in a quadrant of the strategic positioning matrix. The garlic production chain was placed in quadrant I, considering it as sustainable, so it has socioeconomic importance (0.05) and is competitive (2.93). To maintain this position, the actors who participate in the chain must work in agricultural practices that contribute to its positioning, with sustainability and adaptation to climate change. It is advisable to incentivize innovation and to generate new products, to take advantage of the attributes of garlic.

Women and men involved in Olinalá crafts: social and economic analysis of lacquer work.

Monserrat Jiménez Quiñones — 2026-01-02

Craft production in Mexico is an activity of sociocultural and economic significance, especially in rural and indigenous communities. In Olinalá, Guerrero, artisans are renowned for their traditional lacquer technique. This artisanal activity is carried out in family workshops, where each member assumes specific tasks according to established gender roles. This study analyzes the social and economic dynamics of lacquer work from a gender perspective by means of a semi-structured interview with artisans. Questions addressed aspects related to the economic impact of artisanal activity and socioeconomic conditions. The results reveal significant inequalities: whereas men tend to assume the role of providers, women combine domestic work with artisanal work, accumulating workdays of more than eight hours. The main points of sale are local shops and regional fairs, and access to broader markets is limited, despite occasional support from institutions such as FONART. After the COVID-19 pandemic, artisans turned to digital media as an alternative way to sell their crafts. The profit per craft item ranges from 10 to 30%, but this profit is reinvested to continue production. This study underscores the need to value artisanal work and improve marketing channels for this sector.

Territorial resilience: articulating resources, social capital and adaptability in livestock microenterprises in Tantoyuca, Veracruz.

Fabiola Sánchez-Galván — 2026-01-02

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.

Women’s participation in the agriculture and livestock sector in Mexico.

Alma Elizabeth Miranda-Quiñones — 2026-01-02

The objective of this study is to establish the impact of the agriculture and livestock policy of governments in Mexico of the years 2006, 2012 and 2018, on the female employed population in Mexico’s agriculture sector. The research hypothesis set out is that the female employed population in Mexico’s agriculture sector was affected by the governments in Mexico of the years 2006, 2012 and 2018. Therefore, 36 structural analysis tests were conducted, using dichotomous variables, and equations were estimated before and after the structural change to quantify the changes. The results indicate that, in 2013, there was a structural change in the total employed population of the Mexican agriculture sector. In addition, in 2013 and 2019, there was a structural change in the male employed population of the agriculture sector. Finally, in 2007, 2013 and 2019, there was a structural change in the female employed population of the agriculture sector, which presented an increase. The conclusion is that the research objective was fulfilled, and the research hypothesis is accepted. Likewise, that although the female employed population of the Mexican agriculture sector experienced structural changes in 2006, 2012 and 2018, these changes were not sufficient to cause a structural change in the total employed population of the agriculture sector.

Potential consumption of turkey meat: a contingent valuation study.

Laura Danae Villalobos — 2026-01-02

This study conducted in 2022 in the Texcoco region, aimed to estimate willingness to pay (WTP) for guajolote (native mexican turkey) meat, using the Contingent Valuation Method (CVM). A structured survey was administered to a sample of 150 residents, selected using simple random probability sampling, assuming an infinite population. Amassed data were analyzed using a Logit econometric model, which identified that age, education, and income positively influence WTP, whereas a price increase has negative impact. Regarding WTP, respondents were willing to pay an average of 145.61 MXN per kilogram of meat, with 51% of them willing to pay more than 110 MXN for an organic, hormone-free, Mexican-origin product. Regarding product attributes, consumers primarily valued flavor (33%), followed by low cholesterol and fat content (23%) and texture (13%). These findings align with current trends favoring healthy, high-quality, and sustainably produced foods. This study reinforces the relevance of guajolote as a traditional product with economic potential, identifying key factors in consumer preferences that may influence marketing strategies.

Autonomy or dependence? Transformations in food practices of mayan communities in the presence of ecotourism.

Erin Ingrid Jane Estrada Lugo — 2026-01-02

This study analyzes the relationship between food provision and ecotourism in Mayan communities—particularly Lacandon and Mam—in southeastern Mexico. Through an ethnographic approach that included participant observation, interviews, and document analysis, the study examines the transformations in local food provision practices— hunting, fishing, gathering, farming, breeding, and purchasing—under the influence of ecotourism. The findings reveal tensions between the preservation of local culinary knowledge transmitted orally and the incorporation of products from external markets and ultra-processed foods. These dynamics affect both the food sovereignty of the communities and the ethnic identity of their members. The study concludes that, while ecotourism generates economic benefits, it also contributes to a growing dependence on external markets and to cultural erosion. In this context, public policies are needed that promote a balance between economic development, food sovereignty, and cultural preservation.