Changes in a Rural Community (Yucatan, Mexico) Associated with Improvements in Production and Productivity

Abstract

The World Food Summit, Rome, in 1996 estimated the undernourished population at almost 800 million. In Mexico, the highest level of undernourishment among children (27%) is recorded in the state of Yucatan. Improvements in agricultural production were carried out in a traditional Mayan farming village in the poorest area of Yucatan. Milpa crops including maize, beans, and squash yields were improved by the use of fertilizers, mulching, and herbicides while keeping the local species as cover crops. Innovations double the yields and the benefit/cost ratios. Also, improvement in chicken production was effected via construction of chicken pens and use of vaccines, which increased the benefits/cost ratio from 0.8 to about 1.3. Other innovations included production of honeybee, as well as citrus orchards and vegetables. The health status of the youths was measured in 1996 (when the project began) and again in 2000. After 4 years, improvements in production, productivity, and access to subsidies and loans had an immediate effect on both the household level of investment and the health status of children. Children who were measured in 2000 are taller than their counterparts in 1996, but the differences were not statistically significant. However, their nutritional status improved significantly in terms of body mass index (BMI) in both sexes and in all three age groups (3, 7, and 11 years) studied. The results obtained suggest that traditional, diversified farms, if properly improved, can provide the basic food requirements for the farmers' families and increase their cash income.