AGRICULTURAL MACHINERY AND AMARANTH (Amaranthus spp.) PRODUCERS IN THE CENTRAL REGION OF MÉXICO

Abstract

The objective of this study was to understand the type of agricultural machinery and equipment that small-scale producers of amaranth (Amaranthus spp.) use in México’s central region. A survey directed at 118 amaranth producers was applied in the municipalities of Temoac, Morelos; Cohuecan, Atzizihuacan, Puebla; and, Cuapiaxtla and Nativitas, Tlaxcala in México. And, according to the results obtained, the level of mechanization is very low in the three states; only 12 % of the producers have the machinery necessary for the different farming tasks, something due in great measure to the low financial solvency for their acquisition. The structure of the production costs per hectare has as third most important segment the expenses of mechanized farming (11 %). The decrease in production per surface unit and deficient mechanization are the main problems that amaranth producers face, impacting greatly the abandonment of this crop. Another important point is the fact that most of the producers (73 %) do not have knowledge of any program or institution that finances the purchase of agricultural machinery and implements.