Abstract

ROSALES MARTINEZ, Verónica; MARTINEZ DAVILA, Juan Pablo  and  GALICIA GALICIA, Francisco. Changes in the structure and functioning of agro ecosystems by family migration in Jamapa, Veracruz, Mexico. Rev. Mex. Cienc. Agríc [online]. 2015, vol.6, n.1, pp.59-70. ISSN 2007-0934.

The objective of this research was to identify the effect of migration patterns in agro ecosystems from Jamapa, Veracruz, Mexico. Currently, about 10% of the Mexican population lives outside the country mainly in the United States, becoming the most important migratory phenomenon worldwide. A survey was applied to 46 families with migrant members and 54 without them, from March and April 2009 in the municipality of Jamapa, Veracruz, Mexico. Migrants are on average 31.5 years old, most of them with studies of elementary school and very few with a high school level, 58.93% are single and family child. 67.86% have emigrated to the United States of America. From the received remittances, 31.25% are for services, 18.75% for food and 10% for housing. 28.5% is for agricultural use, from which 3.7% for agricultural crops. A highly significant reduction in the number of bean producers (χ² = 11.07, p<0.001), as well as for maize producers (χ²= 18.05, p <0.001) in families with migrants was found. The number of hectares and heads of cattle that families without migrants have is higher than in families with migrants, even after migrating. It could be said that migration affects negatively the management of agro ecosystems and is probably one of the major factors that cause multiple effects in handling them.

Keywords : agriculture; families; migrant; remittances.

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