HUERTOS FAMILIARES, UNA EXPERIENCIA EN CHANCAH VERACRUZ, QUINTANA ROO

Abstract

In order to strengthen productive family activities in the ejido (common land) of Chancah
Veracruz, in Quintana Roo, Mexico, we
promoted a UAM project for the cultivation of organic vegetables in family home
gardens, notable for being very productive
and diversified systems. The entire family
works in these home gardens; women work
particularly intensely. This project, therefore,
was especially designed for them, so they
could improve their personal and family
life through training courses and economic
support, taking advantage of their traditional
knowledge regarding home garden management and the use of organic-agricultural
techniques for vegetables, post-harvest
management and trade. The purpose of
this paper is to describe women’s activities
during the development of the project, their
participation in training courses, their organization and social relationships. The outcome
favored improved production, resulting in
personal and economic benefits, as they will
sell surplus products. Information was acquired through direct observations during visits
to the home gardens and interviews with
women participating in the project. The plant
species selected and their traditional uses are
given. Most belong to the Cucurbitaceae and
Solanaceae. The women showed outstanding knowledge related to timing of sowing
and watering to avoid pests and infections,
as well as family organization regarding
the distribution of tasks in plant care and
upkeep. These types of programs, complete
with technical and economic support, must
have continuity, so desired objectives can
be consolidated: promoting the peasants’
hold on the land, supporting the family
unit, and protecting and preserving their
cultural assets regarding the management
of their resources.