Diversification determinants, spatial heterogeneity and scenarios for small producers in Mexico

Certified organic agriculture in Mexico: Market connections and certification practices in large and small producers

This book has explored the relationship between globalization and local labor displacement in Mexico and the United States by following the trail of chicken. It has shown how free trade fostered the end of the Mexican rural subsistence system and how surplus labor was pushed out of rural areas and into the northbound migrant stream. It has also explained how the flow of Mexican migrants to the United States defied early expectations about the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) that predicted little or no effect on immigration. This concluding chapter summarizes the book's main findings and reflects on the externalities of immigration and free trade. It considers how U.S. producers benefited from NAFTA, how imports affected large and small producers in Mexico, and how NAFTA affected Mexico's poultry industry more generally. Finally, it highlights the public policy implications of immigration and argues that the labor market effects of globalization must be reinserted into the immigration debate.

This chapter brings together two issues that until now have been discussed separately: the rise of new standards in global supply chains and development policy. It presents these issues in order to develop a perspective that argues for the promotion of policies and strategies that combine competitiveness with both inclusion and social equity by improving the productive capacities and wellbeing of small producers in Mexico and Central America. As these countries move away from the previous focus on the ‘Washington consensus’ strategy, the recent rise of supply chain standards and transnational corporation-non-governmental organization (TNC-NGO) partnerships can provide some lessons for thinking about how to advance social development policies.

This study aimed to evaluate the impact of regenerative livestock farming on 50 producers in Mexico, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Colombia and Argentina, analyzing its economic, environmental and social effects. The methodology used was a mixed approach, using qualitative interviews, quantitative surveys and direct observation on the producers' farms. Variables related to economic profitability, soil health, biodiversity and the social conditions of the communities involved were analyzed. The results showed that the adoption of regenerative livestock farming practices increased the profitability of producers, mainly through the reduction of input costs and income diversification, in addition to improving soil quality and biodiversity. However, barriers such as lack of financing, inadequate infrastructure and resistance to change in some regions were identified. The conclusions suggest that, although regenerative livestock farming has the potential to generate significant benefits, its implementation faces significant challenges, especially for small producers. Government support is essential, through public policies that facilitate access to financing, training and appropriate technologies. Furthermore, continuous monitoring of results is essential to ensure the sustainability and adaptation of regenerative practices in different contexts. The study highlights the need to overcome current barriers to maximize the economic, social and environmental benefits of this model in Latin America.