Abstract

PURROY-VASQUEZ, Rubén et al. Maize small-scale agroecosystems in the High Huasteca Region of Veracruz: economic-energetic efficiency and poverty. agric. soc. desarro [online]. 2019, vol.16, n.1, pp.105-121. ISSN 1870-5472.

The low productivity in maize small-scale agroecosystems (SAES) is associated to low income, which influences the continuation of families in conditions of poverty. Therefore, the relationship between the level of poverty, the economic efficiency, and the efficient use of energy in maize SAES was evaluated. The information was collected through structured interviews applied to maize producers from 17 communities in Tantoyuca, Veracruz. Multivariate grouping techniques were applied to analyze the data, as well as the k-mean technique; variance analyses and means tests were carried out to understand the difference between groups and the canonic correlation to identify the indicators of economic-energetic efficiency and of productivity that contribute to surpass the Minimum Welfare Line (MWL). Three types of SAES for maize production are identified: Improved Traditional, Traditional, and Subsistence Traditional. A significant difference was found (p<0.05) between the variables studied in the three SAES. Only the producers of the Improved Traditional SAES reach the MWL. By increasing the productivity of the SAES, the economic and energetic efficiency increase. Thus, the producers with low maize yields prefer to trade it to obtain income to satisfy needs of the family.

Keywords : maize; Minimum Welfare Line (MWL); energy; productivity.

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