Abstract

REBOLLAR-DOMINGUEZ, Silvia; SANTOS-JIMENEZ, Victoria J.; TAPIA-TORRES, Nery Alicia  and  PEREZ-OLVERA, Carmen de la Paz. Homegardens, a Chancah Veracruz, Quintana Roo experience. Polibotánica [online]. 2008, n.25, pp.135-154. ISSN 1405-2768.

In order to strengthen productive family activities in the ejido (common land) of Chancah Veracruz, in Quintana Roo, Mexico, we promoted a UAM project for the cultivation of organic vegetables in family home gardens, notable for being very productive and diversified systems. The entire family works in these home gardens; women work particularly intensely. This project, therefore, was especially designed for them, so they could improve their personal and family life through training courses and economic support, taking advantage of their traditional knowledge regarding home garden management and the use of organic-agricultural techniques for vegetables, post-harvest management and trade. The purpose of this paper is to describe women's activities during the development of the project, their participation in training courses, their organization and social relationships. The outcome favored improved production, resulting in personal and economic benefits, as they will sell surplus products. Information was acquired through direct observations during visits to the home gardens and interviews with women participating in the project. The plant species selected and their traditional uses are given. Most belong to the Cucurbitaceae and Solanaceae. The women showed outstanding knowledge related to timing of sowing and watering to avoid pests and infections, as well as family organization regarding the distribution of tasks in plant care and upkeep. These types of programs, complete with technical and economic support, must have continuity, so desired objectives can be consolidated: promoting the peasants' hold on the land, supporting the family unit, and protecting and preserving their cultural assets regarding the management of their resources.

Keywords : home garden; common land; women; training; production.

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