Agricultural rotation crops: adaptive strategies of two farming communities in Champotón, Campeche

Abstract

Objective: To identify the agricultural rotation crops grown throughout a year by the producers of two farming communities in Champotón, Campeche, Mexico. Design/Methodology/Approach: This exploratory-descriptive research was conducted in 2019, in Santo Domingo Kesté and Sihochac, Champotón, Campeche. Documentary research was conducted and a survey with a total of 200 questionnaires was applied, following the snowball technique. The resulting data were analyzed with descriptive statistics using Excel’s statistical package. Results: Chihua pumpkin (Cucurbita argyrosperma Huber) and sugarcane (Sacharumm officinarum) are the most economically important crops. The former is specific to Santo Domingo Kesté and the latter, to Sihochac. Maize is grown in May in Sihochac, and in different months in Kesté. Chihua pumpkin, peanut (Arachis hypogaea), bean (Phaseolus vulgaris), sesame seed (Sesamum indicum), sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas), cassava (Manihot esculenta), and hibiscus (Hibiscus sabdariffa) are grown only in Kesté, in different times of the year. Study limitations/Implications: Since this research is of a local nature, its results cannot be generalized, although they may be similar to other regions of the country. Findings/Conclusions: Some agricultural relay crops are grown in Kesté and not in the Sihochac community. The way in which each community organizes its crops depends on socio-cultural factors and available resources.