Files
Abstract
Objective: To evaluate the economic sustainability of the maize crop (Zea mays L.) in Acambay, State of Mexico.Design/methodology/approach: The study area was the municipality of Acambay, State of Mexico. The questionnaires were applied to 50 maize crop producers settled in agrarian communities and ejidos at La Soledad, Pueblo Nuevo, Loma Linda, Dateje, San Pedro de los Metales, Dongú, and Tixmadeje. The questionnaire was based on the Indicators of Sustainability of Husbandry Farms (IDEA: Indicateurs de Durabilité des Explotations Agricoles). The selection of each producer was carried out using a snowball sampling, choosing the first farmer randomly.Results: The value of the indicator “economic viability” (C1) was 1 out of 20 points, indicating that the profitability derived from the cultivation of maize crop represents a minimum wage. The indicator “economic specialization rate” (C2) obtained 0 points since only maize crop is grown; therefore, it represents only a source of income for the farmers. In the indicator “financial autonomy” (C3) the average value obtained was 12, indicating that there is no dependence on external inputs for maize crop. The indicator “sensitivity to government aids” (C4) got 0 points since most farmers do not receive support to grow maize crop.Limitations of the study/ implications: the results presented in this paper are advances, it is suggested to take the results with caution. The indicators “transmission of capital” (C5) and “efficiency of production processes” (C6) were not adequately evaluated because during the application of the surveys the farmers refused to provide detailed information to these indicators.Findings/Conclusions: the economic sustainability calculated for the farmers was 13% which is very low because the producers do not always have access to subventions applicable to the maize crop production. Another factor that contributed to the weak sustainability is that maize grain and by-products showed low market prices, therefore, farmers preferred to grow maize crop for self-consumption, or so that inherited farmland is not idle.