Analysis of family agroforestry production units in the altiplano Potosino, Mexico

Abstract

Objective: To understand how small producers perceive their family agroforestry production unit (UPAF) from a social, economic, environmental, and technical standpoint. Design/methodology/approach: A non-experimental qualitative analysis of several UPAFs was conducted. The information was gathered through semi-structured interviews, direct participatory observation, and a field diary. The said information was subsequently analyzed through codification, categorization, and the development of comparative and descriptive tables for the two municipalities and the farmer families in each one of them. Results: The UPAFs provide socioeconomic, environmental, and technical-productive benefits to the producers who have adopted and adapted this agroforestry system. Two factors have influenced the adoption of this technology: age and technical monitoring. Study limitations /implications: The main limitation of our study was the small number of agroforestry production units analyzed, as well as the specificity of the project, which restricts the generalization of results. Findings/conclusions: Agroforestry production units are consistent with a farmer economy because they match several of its characteristics: they are family production units with a partially mercantile nature, which require undivided family work, foster group belonging, and allow risk-taking. Therefore, these types of agroecological alternatives are viable for farmers.