Abstract

CORDOVA-AVALOS, V et al. Participation of peasant organizations in the commercialization of cacao beans (Theobroma cacao L.) in Tabasco, Mexico. Universidad y ciencia [online]. 2008, vol.24, n.2, pp.147-158. ISSN 0186-2979.

The study was carried out in the humid tropic at the Mexican southeastern. The aim was to know the extent which the farmer Associations participate in collection and trade of cocoa beans through the harvesting cycle 1999 - 2000. One census and number of participative interviews to the leaders of 27 farmer's Associations were carried out. The variables considered were collection of cacao beans, purchase and selling price of cacao beans, access to credit, vehicle ownership and schooling and work experience of the Association leader. Data were analyzed with a simple linear correlation test. Arithmetic average and percentage were obtained from the variables reception and selling. Results indicate that from the total volume of dry cocoa beans harvested during the production cycle 1999 - 2000 (22 289 t) in Tabasco, the UNPC (National Cacao Producers Union) received 17.7%. The total amount of cacao collected by the associations was 8 142 t, but they only sold to 37.7% the UNPC at the same time, 62.7% was sold to private business. This research concludes that the participation of the Associations in the market depended on credit strategies, purchase and selling price policies established by the Associations, work experience of the Association leader, and the availability of work vehicles in the Association. It was found that all Associations had not implemented business organization strategies and had not modernized their technology in order to improve the process of cacao commercialization.

Keywords : Association; participation; trade, cocoa; private business.

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