Environment, power, and society

Considerable controversy continues to exist in scientific and policy circles about how to tackle issues of global hunger, malnutrition, and rural economic decline, as well as environmental issues, such as biodiversity loss and climate change adaptation. On the one hand, powerful vested interests, with close ties to government, media, and academic institutions, propose high-input technology-based solutions, speculative and neoliberal “market-based” solutions, and export-oriented agricultural models. On the other hand, an international scientific and grassroots Food Movement has emerged, calling for a redesign of the Global Food System in support of small-scale agroecological farming systems. A call to re-evaluate our current Food Systems was made in 2008 by the International Assessment of Agricultural Knowledge, Science and Technology for Development (IAASTD). Here, using the IAASTD study as a backdrop, we review the recent literature to outline key contentious points in the controversy between the need for high-input and “techno-based” versus agroecological farming models. A critical assessment is made of proposed strategies to protect soil resources, improve nutrient and energy cycles, protect agrobiodiversity, and promote social well-being in rural communities. With an increase in the number of affluent consumers (i.e., the middle class) in the developing world, and with the continued problem of extreme and chronic poverty with other larger sectors of society, Organic Farming and Agroecology models are put forward as a sound social, scientific, and rural development strategy.

Agroecology: A Global Paradigm to Challenge Mainstream Industrial Agriculture

Cocoa is one of the principal agricultural and cultural resources of the humid Mexican tropics. At present, the cocoa system is facing an unprecedented production crisis in relation to several factors, including the presence of frosty pod rot ( Moniliophthora roreri ), plantation neglect and low farm profitability. The aim of this study was to formulate a medium-term plan for cocoa production in Mexico by constructing a Technology Roadmap (TRM). Using an econometric model, production statistics were analyzed for national and international data. Producers participated in 185 surveys, and 82 interviews were performed with key actors in the production chain. The results showed that from 2000-2011, Mexico’s cocoa production decreased by 43.7%, contrary to the increase seen in most cocoa producing nations during that time. The TRM indicates that a six-year period is needed to implement the plan, which would involve integration of pest management, introduction of good agricultural practices and management, participation in breeding, improvement of quality and promotion of national cocoa. These actions require the participation of all production chain stakeholders to encourage farmers to take part in the specialized production of Mexican fine aroma cocoa. El cacao es uno de los recursos agricolas y culturales mas importantes del tropico humedo mexicano. Actualmente, el sistema cacao enfrenta una crisis productiva sin precedentes debido a varios factores, entre ellos: la presencia de moniliasis ( Moniliphthora roreri ), abandono de plantaciones y baja rentabilidad en las fincas. El proposito de este trabajo fue formular un plan de mediano plazo para el desarrollo de la cacaocultura en Mexico, a traves de la caracterizacion y construccion de un Mapa de Ruta Tecnologica (MRT). Mediante un modelo econometrico, se analizaron las estadisticas productivas nacionales e internacionales. Se aplicaron 185 encuestas a productores y se realizaron 82 entrevistas a actores clave de la cadena productiva. Los resultados evidencian que durante el periodo 2000-2011, Mexico presenta una tendencia contraria en el crecimiento de la actividad con respecto a la mayoria de las naciones productoras de cacao y su produccion disminuyo 43.7%. El MRT indica que el periodo para la ejecucion del plan es de seis anos e involucra acciones de manejo integrado de plagas, incorporacion de buenas practicas agricolas y de manejo, mejoramiento genetico participativo, generacion de sistemas de calidad y promocion del cacao nacional. Esto requiere de la participacion de todos los actores involucrados en la cadena productiva, con el proposito de llevar a las fincas hacia la produccion especializada de cacao mexicano fino de aroma.

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Current state of and perspectives on cocoa production in Mexico

The cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) based economy has been considered a valid alternative to support sustainable development in northeastern Colombia. However, there is a lack of information about the cocoa production systems in the region which is needed for the implementation of effective plans to improve their performance and sustainability. Four of the main cocoa producing municipalities in the Norte de Santander department were considered for this study: Teorama, Bucarasica, Cucuta and San Calixto. These entities were selected due to their adequate security conditions, availability of field assistants and departmental representativeness in cocoa production. The objective was to obtain basic information for local, specific and participatory actions for the sustainability of the cocoa production systems and to improve the living conditions of farmers. The methodology used was based on the farming system approach, considering the socioeconomic, technological and agro-ecological components, and their relationships, and evaluating them according to the principles of sustainable agriculture. The phases covered were: (1) analysis of secondary data, (2) formulation and evaluation of sustainability indicators, (3) design, implementation and analysis of survey data and (4) validation by the farmers of the obtained information and the prioritization of problems. The results indicate that there is only one cocoa production system of a family-mercantile type, with low technology. Most farmers have low incomes and basic needs such as health, education and public services are not met. They do not employ the agronomic and post- harvest practices recommended by specialists. The water and soil resources are being degraded. In general, the farming system leans towards unsustainability and it is vital that integrative actions be taken to change this situation.

/pdf/characterization-of-cocoa-theobroma-cacao-l-farming-systems-4omw95u3gb.pdf

Characterization of Cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) Farming Systems in the Norte de Santander Department and Assessment of Their Sustainability

The objective of this study was to evaluate the level of sustainability of conventional and organic dairy cattle production units (CPU) in the Zoque Region of the Mexican state of Chiapas through e...

Evaluating sustainability of conventional and organic dairy cattle production units in the Zoque Region of Chiapas, Mexico

The Framework for the Evaluation of Natural Resources Management Systems Incorporating Sustainability
Indicators (MESMIS) was used to comparatively evaluate the sustainability of two cocoa production farms in
the municipality of Comalcalco, Tabasco during 2006. The method of Case Studies was used combining quantitative
and qualitative approaches of research, and including participative methods. Two cocoa production farms, one organic
and one conventional were selected with the aid of key informants. Sustainability was evaluated using 22 indicators
selected after identifying critical points in each case and applying participative exercises with the farmers. The analysis
of the results considered the categories of the attributes and the dimensions of sustainability. The results revealed that
the highest sustainability was obtained by the organic farm with a sustainability value of 67.75 %, the conventional
value being 47.32 %. The organic farm was nearer the desirable value of sustainability as a result of its values of
adaptability, equity and self-sufficiency. In the analysis of the dimensions of sustainability, the organic farm scored the
highest sustainability values, particularly in the Environmental dimension. Both systems of production can improve
their sustainability if an integral agroecological management is implemented including the updating of knowledge and
practical skills through professional assistance, the involvement of the farmers in local markets and the promotion of
the autonomy of the farms.

/pdf/evaluacion-de-la-sustentabilidad-de-dos-sistemas-de-18s73arhow.pdf

Evaluación de la sustentabilidad de dos sistemas de producción de cacao: estudios de caso en unidades de producción rural en comalcalco, tabasco

The Framework for the Evaluation of Natural Resources Management Systems Incorporating Sustainability Indicators (MESMIS) was used to comparatively evaluate the sustainability of two cocoa production farms in the municipality of Comalcalco, Tabasco during 2006. The method of Case Studies was used combining quantitative and qualitative approaches of research, and including participative methods. Two cocoa production farms, one organic and one conventional were selected with the aid of key informants. Sustainability was evaluated using 22 indicators selected after identifying critical points in each case and applying participative exercises with the farmers. The analysis of the results considered the categories of the attributes and the dimensions of sustainability. The results revealed that the highest sustainability was obtained by the organic farm with a sustainability value of 67.75%, the conventional value being 47.32%. The organic farm was nearer the desirable value of sustainability as a result of its values of adaptability, equity and self-sufficiency. In the analysis of the dimensions of sustainability, the organic farm scored the highest sustainability values, particularly in the Environmental dimension. Both systems of production can improve their sustainability if an integral agroecological management is implemented including the updating of knowledge and practical skills through professional assistance, the involvement of the farmers in local markets and the promotion of the autonomy of the farms.

/pdf/sustainability-assessment-of-two-cocoa-production-systems-446ijqjsqd.pdf

GA Priego-Castillo

Papers

Evaluación de la sustentabilidad de dos sistemas de producción de cacao: estudios de caso en unidades de producción rural en comalcalco, tabasco

Sustainability assessment of two cocoa production systems: Case studies in rural production units in Comalcalco, Tabasco