Abstract

SANCHEZ-OLARTE, Josset et al. Traditional knowledge in agricultural practices of the amaranth cultivation system in Tochimilco, Puebla. agric. soc. desarro [online]. 2015, vol.12, n.2, pp.237-254. ISSN 1870-5472.

Amaranth (Amaranthus spp.) is an essential crop for peasant production units in the municipality of Tochimilco, Puebla. Its cultivation serves the economic purpose of contributing to the income of the family production unit, since there is not a dietary culture with this grain because of its recent introduction into the region. Although its cultivation dates back to pre-Hispanic times, the existence of traditional knowledge associated to the system’s management is probable, and also related to the climate, soils, tools and agricultural practices. The question that guided the study was: What is the importance of traditional knowledge in agricultural practices and for the amaranth cultivation system functioning? Field visits were performed to collect information, and the interviewing method was done with a sample of 83 producers. The information analysis and interpretation was carried out through the hermeneutic method. Results show that there is broad traditional knowledge about soil types, environment-crop interaction, and the use of tools in agricultural practices for system management.

Keywords : climate; tools; management; soil; production unit.

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