Abstract

LOPEZ GAYTAN, José et al. Farmer field school, for dissemination and training in sustainable technologies in indigenous communities. Agric. Téc. Méx [online]. 2008, vol.34, n.1, pp.33-42. ISSN 0568-2517.

This research was conducted to know the contribution of the farmer field school in the determine and dissemination of the milpa technology in fruit trees (MIAF). This technology contributes in the increase of the maize production and common bean and incorporating an intensive production of fruit trees with commercial quality, increasing the family income, employment and the carbon capture in the environment. The information was obtained with the application of 50 questionnaires that measured the dominion of the technology and calculated the yield compared between the traditional technology and the innovation technology. The results indicate that the field school is an educative mean that facilitates the farmers to inform, to interest, to accept and to adopt technologies. This was proved by increasing the yield of maize from 0.7 to 1.2 ha^-1, generating an income by the sale of 2 5 t ha^-1 of peach trees from the quarter to the fifteenth year by means of the sale of fruits of quality in rural markets. Additionally, the technological innovation offers employment in 50 wages ha^-1 more than the traditional milpa during the agricultural year. Thus also the field school demonstrated its contribution in facilitating farmers training in their own context. The farmer-promoters with the acquired knowledge are the ones that will promote the technology with family, neighbours and friends.

Keywords : Intercropped milpa; peasant-promoter; hillside agriculture.