Abstract

ORTIZ JIMENEZ, Bersaín; JIMENEZ SANCHEZ, Leobardo; RENDON MEDEL, Roberto  and  DIAZ JOSE, Julio. Farmer schools in Mexico: an analysis from social networks. Rev. Mex. Cienc. Agríc [online]. 2016, vol.7, n.spe15, pp.2899-2907. ISSN 2007-0934.

Ownership and transfer of knowledge from producer to producer, is the beginning of farmer schools; in that sense, social capital is important in individual and collective relations. The methodology of farmer schools has been tested in rural communities to increase awareness among producers. The aim of this paper was to analyze knowledge flows of technology in the production of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) in a greenhouse, estimating parameters of social networks at the beginning of the farmer schools in 2010 and his term in 2011. They worked with producers small-scale rural in the state of Oaxaca who participated in the farmer schools for technology transfer. The sample selection was conducted by taking attendees producers and not attending farmer schools. After the process of farmer schools, relationships of input and output information technology increased by 28% and relationships between producers to have agreements or share resources increased participants in schools. In general, producers who participated in the farmer schools performed better communication relationships, better access to technology and improved production yields.

Keywords : agent of change; farmer schools; knowledge flows; social network analysis.

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