Diagnosis and Customs Revealed by Peasants and Shepherds during the Transhumant Grazing of Pastoreña Goats in the Mixteca of Oaxaca, Mexico

Abstract

Transhumant pastoralism is a livelihood for many smallholders in the world. In Mexico, transhumant pastoralism has been practiced for 500 years and is classified as a system of transhumant goat pastoralism (TGP). The focus of the study was to identify and characterize the main goat herders of transhumance in the Mixteca-Baja of Mexico. The investigation was carried out in two phases: The first included exploring the districts to locate, contact, and live with the people involved, 13 peasants named Patrones ranging from 40 to 76 years of age. The second phase investigated the transhumant routes and the zootechnical activities of the herds. They live in five locations with an inventory of 12 thousand goats known as Pastoreñas. The TGP is a primary economic activity for all the people, and La Matanza is the main economic activity consisting of the slaughter and marketing of goats. The study revealed that the activities depend on the type of economic unit. Transhumant Pastoreña goats garner the highest prices paid by merchants ranging from 47–70.4 USD per goat. In conclusion, the TGP is an interesting production system, and livestock activity has an essential ecological niche combining income generation and conservation of the environment.