Farmers' Response to Disasters: A Study in Three Municipalities of the Sierra Nevada of Puebla

Resumen

Objective: This study aimed to analyze the types of disasters affecting family agriculture and to understand the strategies implemented by producers to mitigate damage to crops and the economic well-being of farming families in three municipalities of the Sierra Nevada region in Puebla.

Design/Methodology/Approach: The information used in this research was derived from secondary sources and key informants from the municipalities of Calpan, Domingo Arenas, and San Nicolás de los Ranchos in Puebla.

Results: The Sierra Nevada region is characterized by family-based subsistence agriculture, practiced on smallholdings. In response to the frequent climatic disasters that occur throughout the year—such as frost, hail, drought, strong winds, and excessive rainfall—local farmers have developed various strategies. One such strategy is the introduction of new crops, such as berries and grapes, which are better adapted to the changing environmental conditions. These crops are easier to manage and have shown strong market demand, providing farmers with a viable alternative to traditional crops.

Study Limitations/Implications: Some key informants declined to provide information.

Findings/Conclusions:
Family-based agriculture is highly vulnerable to a range of disasters with varying intensities, which negatively impact the living conditions of rural populations, especially those living in poverty. In response, rural communities have developed strategies to mitigate the effects of these disasters and adapt to the changing environmental conditions.