MALANGA (Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott) AND CHAYOTE (Sechium edule (Jacq.) Sw.) BY ‘MANILA’ MANGO (Mangifera indica L.): CHANGES IN THE AGRICULTURAL SYSTEM OF THE CENTRAL BASIN OF THE ACTOPAN RIVER, VERACRUZ

Abstract

The ‘Manila’ mango (M. indica) has been a product of enormous commercial value for the inhabitants of the Central basin of the Actopan River, Veracruz. At the national level, this region continues to provide the domestic market with 85 % of ‘Manila’ mango production. Despite this, production and yields per hectare at the state and regional level have declined in the last 20 years by 54 %. The present study identifies the causes that have produced the reduction in surface and production of mango ‘Manila’, one of the most emblematic crops of the state of Veracruz. The methodology is based on research of printed sources and statistics obtained through surveys applied to producers. The results show that the main causes of land use change of more than 15,220 ha in the state and a 60 % decrease in yields per hectare of ‘Manila’ mango in the region (>40 years) have low yields, the unattractive price ($ 10.33 per kg), serious disease and pest problems (anthracnose and fruit flies), lack of government support, motivated the substitution with more profitable crops. Chayotes (Sechium edule) (29 %), malanga (C. esculenta) (21 %), other mango cultivars (25 %), lemon (Citrusxlatifolia Tanaca Ex Q. Jiménez) (8 %), guanabana (Annona muricata L.) (9 %), passion fruit (Passiflora edulis Sims) (8 %), among others, are the substitute crops of previously densely wooded areas with mango trees. Although the change in the agricultural system has economically benefited producers, the modification of the system has an impact on the agroecosystem in general, since the new crops are highly demanding in agrochemicals.