Crop and non-crop productivity in a traditional maize agroecosystem of the highland of Mexico
In Mexico, the traditional maize cultivation system has resisted intensification attempts for many decades in some areas, even in some well-connected regions of the temperate highlands. We suggest that this is due to economics.
Methods: The total useful biomass of several fields in Nanacamilpa, Tlaxcala, are evaluated for productivity and costs.
Results: Maize grain production is low (1.5 t ha-1) and does not cover costs.
However, maize stover demands a relatively high price. If it included, a profit is possible (about 110 US $ ha-1).
We show that non-crop production (weeds for food and forage) potentially has a higher value than the crop. It is only partially used, as there are constraints on animal husbandry, but it diversifies production and plays a role as a back-up system in case of crop failure.
Conclusions: The diversified system described is economically rational under current conditions and labor costs.
It is also stable, low-input and ecologically benign, and should be recognized as an important example of integrated agriculture, though some improvements could be investigated.
Author: Rosa Gonzalez-AmaroAngelica Martinez-BernalFrancisco Basurto-PenaHeike Vibrans
Credits/Source: Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine 2009, 5:38
Published on: 2009-11-27
Copyright by the authors listed above - made available via BioMedCentral (Open Access). Please
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