Abstract
Intercropping constitutes the traditional farming system practice used in various forms for maize production in the Yucatan peninsula. Although practiced for centuries, problems persist with competition for water, nutrients and light between crop species in traditional farming systems. Furthermore, little is known about farmers’ perceptions regarding changes to traditional maize-legume intercropping systems and their interest in novel crop adoption to increase yields in the system while maintaining the practice. The objective of this study was to investigate the maize-based traditional cropping system by assessing the underlying motives and concepts of farmers to practice intercropping in the Yucatan Peninsula and to examine the association between farmers’ level of knowledge about legumes and decisions to adopt intercropping and related practices therein. Farmer surveys were conducted in nine different regions of the Yucatan Peninsula. We selected Xoy, Euan, Muna, Mama, Tahdziú (Yucatan), Becal, Hecelchacam, Dzitbalché and San Antonio Sahcabchén (Campeche) which are representative of agroecological small-scale farming systems. We used a mixed methods case study analysis involving key informant interviews in eight associations of farmers. A sample frame with 73 farmers was selected in total during February 2021 and April 2021. Basic information such as land use, labor inputs, agricultural production and farmer’s perceptions regarding their intercropping systems were collected. Our research shows that the primary motives for intercropping were due to the ability of intercropping to offer a more diversified range of food for human and animal consumption, as well as to take advantage of different harvest periods that this practice offers. The majority of respondents were likely to favor the idea of introducing new legume species in their maize-based cropping systems. Factors such as the type of cropping system (i.e., intercropping or monocropping), access to water and level of knowledge about legumes influenced their decision to adopt intercropping in their farming systems considerably. This paper contributes to the knowledge on the current state and farmers’ perceptions of intercropping systems in the Yucatan Peninsula.
Highlights
In Mexico, maize is the most culturally and economically important cereal, and represents the staple food of the Mexican people [1]
The objectives of our study are threefold: (1) to investigate the current state of the maize intercropping system in southeastern Mexico; (2) to assess the underlying motives and concepts of farmers to practice intercropping in the Yucatan Peninsula and (3) to examine the association between farmers’ level of knowledge about legumes and decisions to adopt intercropping and related practices therein
The answers to survey questions enabled us to estimate the current states of intercropping by assessing the underlying motives and concepts of farmers to practice intercropping in the Yucatan Peninsula and to examine the association between farmers’ level of knowledge about legumes and decisions to adopt intercropping and related practices therein
Summary
In Mexico, maize is the most culturally and economically important cereal, and represents the staple food of the Mexican people [1]. Sustainability 2021, 13, 11503 maize productivity and are considered as part of the major threats to the regions food security [3]. Factors related to overexploited land and the decrease of available nutrients for cultivated cash crops have been considered the major causes of depressed maize productivity in the region [4]. The association of cereals with legumes can play a key role in improving maize yields in Mexico’s farmlands, while addressing sustainable agriculture challenges [5,6]. This is due to the ability of legumes to provide multiple well-known benefits in cereal–legume intercropping systems [7,8]. Other studies have reported on the ability of intercropping to reduce the environmental impacts of agriculture, such as soil degradation, soil erosion, soil, water and air pollution, nutrient leaching etc., but the potential benefits beyond the field-scale have rarely been examined by scientists [10]
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