Abstract

CASTANEDA-MARTINEZ, Tirzo; FRANCO-MAASS, Sergio; GONZALEZ-ESQUIVEL, Carlos  and  ESPINOZA-ORTEGA, Angélica. Evolution and usage of irrigation water in the farmer milk production systems from North-East Estado de Mexico. Econ. soc. territ [online]. 2008, vol.8, n.28, pp.1033-1058. ISSN 2448-6183.

In this paper we analyse retrospectively the evolution of irrigation systems and the agricultural activity in the North-East region of Estado de Mexico. We have employed several analytical strategies starting from the information provided by governmental departments, interviews with key informers as well as surveys of the producers that used this resource. We identified that the availability of water has contributed to the establishment of foraging crops mainly destined to the feeding of milking cows, given that this is the livestock platform of the region. The production of milk together with the cultivation of basic crops such as maize have contributed to the integration of the agriculture and livestock industries.

Keywords : unit of agricultural production; irrigation; agriculture and livestock activities; maize production; milk production.