Abstract

ISAAC-MARQUEZ, Ricardo et al. Programas gubernamentales y respuestas campesinas en el uso del suelo: el caso de la zona oriente de Tabasco, México. Región y sociedad [online]. 2008, vol.20, n.43, pp.97-129. ISSN 2448-4849.

Peasants from the eastern part of Tabasco state, in Mexico, instrumented productive strategies in reaction to structural reforms, which are examined in this paper. By analyzing the land-use change patterns recorded from 1988 to 2004, two types of strategies were identified: a) subsistence agriculture and b) livestock husbandry with basic crops. Rather than competitiveness, both strategies aim at minimizing risk while maintaining their status as farmers, assuring the minimum supply of goods for short term subsistence of their families. The farm laborers' dilemma is whether to continue with livestock husbandry, which has high environmental costs and from which they seem condemned to be excluded, or to change to forestry options, which may be profitable in the future. We conclude that public policies should be directed towards strengthening rural communities, based on a comprehensive perception of rural development.

Keywords : peasants; productive strategies; land use change; structural reform.