Objective:

To analyze the contribution of family agriculture in the construction of peasant food strategies as a response to socio-productive problems in communities in the municipalities of Tenejapa and San Juan Cancuc, in the Tseltal region of Chiapas’ Highlands.

Methodology:

The research is a case study that serves to characterize the strategies of social reproduction in a rural self-subsistence economy. The data were obtained through qualitative research techniques, including interviews, field visits, analysis of corn, coffee, honey and vegetable production systems, and focus group discussions.

Results:

It can be highlighted that agro-food diversity is the main strategy for social reproduction among self-subsistence farmers and that the most valued assets are land and production techniques, as well as the multifunctional nature of agriculture.

Limitations:

The study and its method can be a reference for analysis of social reproduction strategies in peasant families of indigenous peoples, specifically in contexts of self-subsistence economy. To analyze strategies of farming families with little economic or agricultural diversification, it is necessary to consider other variables and possibly complement the qualitative research method with other quantitative methods to quantify income, for example, a socioeconomic survey.

Conclusions:

The diversification of agriculture and family food is a viable method to strength social reproduction strategies among peasant families in an economic context of self-subsistence. The agro-food policies could take a multi-scalar approach.