THE EFFECTS OF INTERNATIONAL EMIGRATION ON THE ACAZÓNICA AND HATO DE LA HIGUERA AGROECOSYSTEMS IN VERACRUZ, MEXICO

Abstract

Mexico has a tradition of migration to the United States. Nevertheless, Veracruz had not experienced a significant exodus of its population up until the nineteen nineties, when emigration from Veracruz began to increase rapidly, especially in the rural sector, thus affecting the region’s agroecosystems. Correspondingly, the main objective of this investigation was to analyze how international emigration has affected the agroecosystems of two rural communities in the state of Veracruz. Special attention was paid to factors such as family income, decision making, labor organization, agricultural diversity, technological management and the purpose of production. Information was gathered by direct observation and from interviews with key informants. A survey was conducted in 60 homes and six case studies were employed. Although there are differences between communities, regarding the type of migration (legal or illegal), generally, the following patterns were identified: 1) Agricultural activity is primarily subsidized by remittances sent by emigrants; 2) The departure of the head of the family leads to a change concerning who makes  the decisions;  woman normally occupy subordinate roles; 3) Migration results in an increase in the number of hired farm workers and a greater work load for those who remain in the community; 4) The departure of the work force tends to diminish agricultural diversity; 5) Remittances have a positive impact on technological management by the family production unit; 6) Illegal emigration favors subsistence farming, whereas legal emigration favors commercial production.