Vulnerability of Citrus Growers to Huanglongbing

Objective: Analyze the vulnerability of citrus growers of San Rafael and Cotaxtla, Veracruz, Mexico, to the presence of HLB.Methodology: Citrus growers were surveyed on their knowledge, proficiency, and perception of strategies implemented by the Campaign against HLB. Vulnerability was integrated into the Risk Index (IR), which included both the knowledge and perception of citrus growers toward the Campaign’s strategies, the actions they perform, and those they are willing to perform. The IR between localities was compared and correlated to the grower’s variables, the parcel, and the trust between social actors. Also, the organizational involvement of growers was compared.Results: Growers of San Rafael and Cotaxtla are at a medium vulnerability level, with no significant difference between their IR (P0.48). The grower IR increases as the degree of trust in social actors decreases (r0.30). Organizational involvement is equally low in both localities (P0.15). Study Limitations: The study does not apply to other localities.Conclusions: Citrus growers may respond adequately and significantly to new vulnerability conditions imposed by HLB, which may endanger actions implemented based on their participation in the Campaign against HLB.