Social relations and seed transactions among smallscale maize farmers in the Central Valleys of Oaxaca, Mexico

This paper explores social arrangements associated with seed transactions among smallscale maize farmers in the Central Valleys of Oaxaca, Mexico, a centre of crop genetic diversity. A formal seed distribution system has yet to developed in the region and when seed loss occurs, farmers are faced wit...

Descripción completa

Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Badstue, L.B., Bellon, M., Juarez, X., Rosas, I.M., Solano, A.M.
Tipo de recurso: libro
Estado:Versión publicada
Fecha de publicación:2002
País:México
Institución:Centro Internacional de Mejoramiento de Maíz y Trigo
Repositorio:Repositorio Institucional de Publicaciones Multimedia del CIMMYT
OAI Identifier:oai:repository.cimmyt.org:10883/911
Acceso en línea:http://hdl.handle.net/10883/911
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
GENETIC VARIATION
MAIZE
RESEARCH POLICIES
SMALL FARMS
ZEA MAYS
Descripción
Sumario:This paper explores social arrangements associated with seed transactions among smallscale maize farmers in the Central Valleys of Oaxaca, Mexico, a centre of crop genetic diversity. A formal seed distribution system has yet to developed in the region and when seed loss occurs, farmers are faced with costs and difficulties identifying, locating, and obtaining seed of desired varieties. For these reasons, it was hypothesized that there were strong incentives for collective action among farmers to facilitate seed supply. The study found, however, that no seed networks existed among study communities. Instead, farmers acquired seed through different types of seed transactions and social relations. The results suggest that seed flow among communities in the Central Valleys of Oaxaca is a complex process of negotiation and reciprocity, influenced by a variety of agroecological, socioeconomic, and cultural factors.