Visible and hidden economic values of the Maya milpa system in Yucatan, Mexico. Issue 5 (3rd September 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Rodríguez-Robayo, Karla Juliana; Méndez-López, María Elena; Fierros-González, Isael
• Is Part Of: International journal of agricultural sustainability. Volume 20:Issue 5(2022)
• Page Start: 774
• Page End: 789
• Publication Date: 2022-09-03
• Subjects: Economic value -- Maya milpa system -- rural households -- Yucatan Peninsula; Agriculture -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Agricultural ecology -- Periodicals; 338.14
• DOI: 10.1080/14735903.2021.1984107
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1473-5903

Abstract

ABSTRACT: The Maya milpa is a complex system integrated by the maize, beans, and squash polyculture as well as complementary economic activities, such as growing crops and maintaining livestock in family-owned backyard gardens, forestry, and beekeeping. Although there is evidence that the milpa system has existed for over three centuries, its economic importance has been increasingly questioned. This paper addresses questions regarding the economic value of the milpa system as well as the socioeconomic differences between households with and without milpa polyculture. This is done by means of an analysis of 265 surveys gathered from households located in six different communities in the east and southwest of Yucatan, Mexico. The results show that the economic value of the milpa system can vary from US$360.2 (adjusted to 2019 dollars) to US$2234 (adjusted to 2019 dollars) when on-farm consumption, including the feeding of animals and friends and family transfers, is considered. 73.4% of the surveyed households have a cost–benefit ratio of milpa polyculture lower than 1. However, households with and without milpa polyculture system receive similar annual income, showing that milpa polyculture system is as productive as wage labour in this region.