CHARACTERIZATION OF SHEEP PRODUCTION IN THE AGROECOSYSTEMS OF INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES IN CAMPECHE, MEXICO

Abstract

Objective: Characterize sheep production among indigenous producer agroecosystems that received financial support from the Comisión Nacional para el Desarrollo de los Pueblos Indígenas (CDI) (National Commission for the Development of Indigenous Peoples), in Campeche, Mexico.

Design/methodology/approximation: A socioeconomic and technical questionnaire was designed and provided to 199 producers grouped into 27 sheep production units, from seven municipalities in the state of Campeche.

Results: Sheep production within the indigenous communities of Campeche is characterized by the use of extensive grazing, low levels of technology, limited facilities, and high participation by adult women who are willing to learn and implement innovations and technologies. The production systems are the traditional type focused on the reproduction of herds for market sale and self-consumption, with no records of production and sheep reproductive performance. Producers want to continue their production activities and are willing to implement strategies that contribute to improving their production units.

Limitations/implications: Provision of support policies and training protocols for sheep production must differentiate between indigenous and that performed by other social groups.

Findings/conclusions? Sheep production units within the indigenous groups benefited by the CDI have limited facilities for adequate herd management, limited qualifications for herd management and maintenance of records on production and reproduction, hence the reason why the production system is classified as traditional. However, there is much participation by adult women who are willing to learn and implement innovations and technologies that contribute to improvement of their production units.