Changes in the pattern of cultivated species and loss of sustainability in central Veracruz, Mexico

The economic, social, and technological conditions in agriculture have changed due to public policies implemented by the Mexican government. These changes have forced producers to make decisions to adapt to a complex agricultural reality. The objective of this research is to analyze the changes in c...

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Main Authors: Lorena Casanova-Pérez, Verónica Rosales-Martínez, Patricia Cruz-Bautista, Emigdio De la Cruz-De la Cruz, Florencia García-Alonso, Alberta San Juan Martínez
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Selva Andina Research Society 2024-05-01
Series:Journal of the Selva Andina Biosphere
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Online Access:http://www.scielo.org.bo/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S2308-38592024000100013&lng=es&nrm=iso&tlng=en
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author Lorena Casanova-Pérez
Verónica Rosales-Martínez
Patricia Cruz-Bautista
Emigdio De la Cruz-De la Cruz
Florencia García-Alonso
Alberta San Juan Martínez
author_facet Lorena Casanova-Pérez
Verónica Rosales-Martínez
Patricia Cruz-Bautista
Emigdio De la Cruz-De la Cruz
Florencia García-Alonso
Alberta San Juan Martínez
author_sort Lorena Casanova-Pérez
collection DOAJ
description The economic, social, and technological conditions in agriculture have changed due to public policies implemented by the Mexican government. These changes have forced producers to make decisions to adapt to a complex agricultural reality. The objective of this research is to analyze the changes in cropping patterns over four decades and their impact on sustainability in a local context. A survey and in-depth interviews were conducted among producers in agricultural and rainfed areas in central Veracruz, Mexico. The findings suggest that the promotion and subsequent reduction of public spending in favor of agricultural production resulted in the gradual introduction and exclusion of crops, as well as the fundamental management practices underlying them, such as fertilization, weed, disease, and pest control. This led to a loss of sustainability as it promoted monoculture, the use of agrochemicals, and the commercialization of crops. This not only simplified the crop pattern but also affected the family's diet, created conditions for increased pest and disease presence, and degraded soil life and agrobiodiversity, including medicinal and food plants subject to harvesting. These findings should be taken into account when defining medium and long-term strategies
format Article
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institution Kabale University
issn 2308-3867
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language English
publishDate 2024-05-01
publisher Selva Andina Research Society
record_format Article
series Journal of the Selva Andina Biosphere
spelling doaj-art-67a9596214e74550983e7998150402cb2025-08-20T03:40:26ZengSelva Andina Research SocietyJournal of the Selva Andina Biosphere2308-38672308-38592024-05-011211322doi:10.36610/j.jsab.2024.120100013Changes in the pattern of cultivated species and loss of sustainability in central Veracruz, MexicoLorena Casanova-Pérez0https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8906-2408Verónica Rosales-Martínez1https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5895-1250Patricia Cruz-Bautista2https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2320-5378Emigdio De la Cruz-De la Cruz3https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0836-4389Florencia García-Alonso4https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8209-4535Alberta San Juan Martínez5https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9731-4978Technological University of the Huasteca Hidalguense. Huejutla-Chalahuiyapa Highway SN. Col. Tepoxteco, Huejutla de Reyes. CP 43000. Hidalgo, MexicoChairs National Council of Humanities, Sciences and Technologies (CONACYT). College of Postgraduates. Campeche Campus. Haltunchen-Edzná Highway Km 17.5. Sihochac, Champotón. CP 24450. Campeche, Mexico.Autonomous University of Puebla. Agronomy and Animal Husbandry Engineering. Tecamachalco-Cañada Morelos Highway, km 7.5. El Salado, Tecamachalco. CP 75460. Puebla, MexicoTechnological University of the Huasteca Hidalguense. Huejutla-Chalahuiyapa Highway SN. Col. Tepoxteco, Huejutla de Reyes. CP 43000. Hidalgo, MexicoTechnological University of the Huasteca Hidalguense. Huejutla-Chalahuiyapa Highway SN. Col. Tepoxteco, Huejutla de Reyes. CP 43000. Hidalgo, MexicoTechnological University of the Huasteca Hidalguense. Huejutla-Chalahuiyapa Highway SN. Col. Tepoxteco, Huejutla de Reyes. CP 43000. Hidalgo, MexicoThe economic, social, and technological conditions in agriculture have changed due to public policies implemented by the Mexican government. These changes have forced producers to make decisions to adapt to a complex agricultural reality. The objective of this research is to analyze the changes in cropping patterns over four decades and their impact on sustainability in a local context. A survey and in-depth interviews were conducted among producers in agricultural and rainfed areas in central Veracruz, Mexico. The findings suggest that the promotion and subsequent reduction of public spending in favor of agricultural production resulted in the gradual introduction and exclusion of crops, as well as the fundamental management practices underlying them, such as fertilization, weed, disease, and pest control. This led to a loss of sustainability as it promoted monoculture, the use of agrochemicals, and the commercialization of crops. This not only simplified the crop pattern but also affected the family's diet, created conditions for increased pest and disease presence, and degraded soil life and agrobiodiversity, including medicinal and food plants subject to harvesting. These findings should be taken into account when defining medium and long-term strategieshttp://www.scielo.org.bo/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S2308-38592024000100013&lng=es&nrm=iso&tlng=enagrochemicals; monoculture; management practices; public policies; food security
spellingShingle Lorena Casanova-Pérez
Verónica Rosales-Martínez
Patricia Cruz-Bautista
Emigdio De la Cruz-De la Cruz
Florencia García-Alonso
Alberta San Juan Martínez
Changes in the pattern of cultivated species and loss of sustainability in central Veracruz, Mexico
Journal of the Selva Andina Biosphere
agrochemicals; monoculture; management practices; public policies; food security
title Changes in the pattern of cultivated species and loss of sustainability in central Veracruz, Mexico
title_full Changes in the pattern of cultivated species and loss of sustainability in central Veracruz, Mexico
title_fullStr Changes in the pattern of cultivated species and loss of sustainability in central Veracruz, Mexico
title_full_unstemmed Changes in the pattern of cultivated species and loss of sustainability in central Veracruz, Mexico
title_short Changes in the pattern of cultivated species and loss of sustainability in central Veracruz, Mexico
title_sort changes in the pattern of cultivated species and loss of sustainability in central veracruz mexico
topic agrochemicals; monoculture; management practices; public policies; food security
url http://www.scielo.org.bo/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S2308-38592024000100013&lng=es&nrm=iso&tlng=en
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