PEASANTITY AND AGROINDUSTRY OF THE AGROFORESTRY SYSTEMS OF SAN ANDRÉS CALPAN, PUEBLA

Abstract

Background. Agroforestry Systems (AFS) are natural resource management practices of peasant families; their importance is due to the various benefits and environmental functions they generate. However, the pressures of agricultural modernity, changes in land use, and climate change are factors that are affecting their structure, functions, and benefits. Objective. Determine the degree of peasantity or agroindustry of the AFS of San Andrés Calpan, Puebla, Mexico. Methodology. A survey was applied in 2018 to a sample of 81 producers with corn systems interspersed in fruit trees. A peasantity-agroindustry index (PAI) was constructed based on eight attributes. Resultados. Three groups of producers were formed, according to their PAI: pure, traditional, and semi-traditional peasant. Fisher's test and analysis of variance were applied to determine differences between groups. A PAI of 0.23. By group, 59% of the AFS presented semi-traditional, 22% traditional, and 19% pure peasant characteristics. Implications. Indicators showing significant differences were surface area, labor origin, productive energy, productive self-sufficiency, and beliefs. Conclusion. The AFS preserve the social, ecological, and economic bases of peasant management.