Abstract

OROZCO CIRILO, Sergio et al. Escuelas de Campo y disponibilidad alimentaria en una región indígena de México. Estud. soc [online]. 2008, vol.16, n.32, pp.207-226. ISSN 0188-4557.

The field work for this study was conducted in the region of Mazateca in the State of Oaxaca-, one of the poorest indigenous regions of Mexico. The objective was to understand the relationship between the levels of knowledge gained through the Farmer Field Schools methodology, and the availability of basic alimentary resources of indigenous farmers focused mainly on the production of corn for personal consumption. The following variables were analyzed: 1) level of knowledge of applicable ecological technology; 2) production volumes of corn per hectare; 3) corn production; and 4) the amount of time in which the harvest supplies corn for the peasant household's alimentary needs. A survey was conducted, summing up a sample of 72 participants, each provided with a questionnaire; 36 participants attend Farmer Field Schools; the remaining 36 respondents made up the control group. Our statistical model included: anova, multiple comparisons and correlations having significance levels. We found that the level of knowledge gained from Farmer Field Schools is directly proportional to the basic food availability of corn. This implies for similar physical and human geographical contexts, that by increasing the level of relevant knowledge through the Farmer Field Schools, this method could potentially represent a useful tool in the fight against hunger.

Keywords : alimentary safety; food shortage; food; personal consumption; education; human development.

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