Abstract

GARCIA-FLORES, José C.; GUTIERREZ-CEDILLO, Jesús G.; BALDERAS-PLATA, Miguel Á.  and  ARAUJO-SANTANA, Maria R.. Livelihood strategy in the rural area of the mexican central highlands: the family vegetable garden. agric. soc. desarro [online]. 2016, vol.13, n.4, pp.621-641. ISSN 1870-5472.

In three municipalities located in the ecological transition zone of Estado de México, the traditional peasant practice of the family vegetable garden was researched as a livelihood strategy that contributes to food security. Peasant agriculture is part of the strategies of family life in rural areas and contributes to facing extreme climate events at the regional level. Through field observation and semistructured interviews with 180 vegetable garden owners, the environmental, social and economic benefits that they receive from them were studied, as well as the use they make of the products of plant and animal origin, their use in the diet and for income generation. The following were identified: 134 tree or shrub species; 54 herbs or vegetables, and 13 animal species. The species were used by the families for their diet and as condiments or for medicinal or ritual uses. The main products obtained from the garden are fruits, leaves, flowers, meat, milk and egg; their principal destination is for auto-consumption; the excess is destined to the sale and exchange, as an alternative to complement the diet. These agroecosystems contribute to conserving regional biodiversity, they favor family food security and provide environmental services and social benefits.

Keywords : peasant agriculture; agroecosystems; family livelihood strategy; traditional practice; food security.

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