Tropentag, September 11 - 13, 2024, Vienna "Explore opportunities... for managing natural resources and a better life for all"

Perception of agroecological performance of dairy farms by smallholders in Mexico

¹Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México, Instituto de Ciencias Agropecuarias y Rurales, Mexico
²University of Wisconsin-Madison, Dept. of Animal & Dairy Sciences, United States

Abstract

The Tool for Agroecology Performance Evaluation (TAPE) is a novel FAO tool developed to collect data on how the 10 Elements of Agroecology (EA): Diversity, Synergies, Efficiency, Recycling, Resilience, Culture & Food Traditions, Co-creation & Sharing of Knowledge, Human & Social Values, Circular & Solidarity Economy, and Responsible Governance can contribute to sustainable agricultural and food systems. One of the steps of TAPE involves a participatory analysis of survey results with participant farmers during a workshop. The goal of this study was to determine the perception of smallholder dairy farmers in regard to the likelihood of change in agroecological practices on their farm and key actors responsible for these changes. We conducted a 2-hour workshop in Aculco, Mexico (n = 12 participants). Using a Likert scale from -2 (Very unlikely) to 2 (Very likely), farmers rated their likelihood of changing practices related to the 10 EA. To identify key actors responsible for these changes, farmers were tasked with allocating 10 points among 5 options: individual, community, or government at the municipal, regional, or central level. Median values were analyzed with the Mann-Whitney U test. No significant differences were detected for the likelihood of change in any EA (All P ≥ 0.36). In addition, survey participants rated themselves as the primary agent of change compared to other key actors (P < 0.05). In other words, farmers overwhelmingly agreed that they were the main actors responsible for implementing changes. In evaluating the workshop, participants indicated a high degree of interest to learn more about agroecological practices. This study provides smallholder farming communities a voice to chart their own future.

Keywords: Agroecological, small-scale dairy systems, sustainable food

Contact Address: Dalia Andrea Plata-Reyes, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México, Instituto de Ciencias Agropecuarias y Rurales, Instituto Literario # 100 Col. Centro, 50000 Toluca, Mexico, e-mail: daplataruaemex.mx