Smallholder farmers’ diverse values in maize landrace conservation: A case study from Chiapas, Mexico

Abstract

Conservation of maize landraces in the Mexico center of origin is critical for sustainable agriculture. However, farmers in many regions of Mexico are reducing landraces for more modern maize varieties, particularly hybrid maize. The reasons why farmers choose to maintain maize landraces have been recently recognized to be strongly linked to their specific values (i.e., intrinsic, instrumental, and relational values). However, there is a lack of studies that empirically investigate the nuances of farmers' specific values and how these values are adequately considered in broad agricultural policies. Using a mixed-methods case study based in indigenous and mestizo communities in Chiapas, Mexico, we analyzed farmers' maize production strategies, how those strategies connect to farmers’ value orientations, and the limitations that they confront in enacting such values. We found that households within both indigenous and mestizo communities fell into one of three categories regarding their maize production: 1) hybrid maize production for market sales, 2) landrace production for household consumption, and 3) a combination of these two strategies. All farmers hold a diversity of values in which mostly instrumental and relational values were mentioned among the three groups of farmers, who emphasized the livelihood and subsistence value of maize. Value differences for farmers who prioritize the cultivation of maize landraces were related to the strength of relational values, such as the biocultural diversity and heritage value of maize. In contrast, the farmers relying on hybrid varieties were the ones confronting the most limitations to their maize production, particularly economic limitations. Based on our empirical findings, we conclude that policies aimed at promoting the conservation of landraces must extend beyond a purely economic and market-oriented approach. The current policy emphasis on instrumental values is likely to fall short in achieving the desired outcomes since it does not sufficiently foster plural values that underpin the continued production of maize landraces.