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Abstract

ABSTRACT

Objective: Document the standard of living of the "Mulato Viejo" community, their culture and agricultural practices in light of current development policies.

Design/methodology/approach: The study was carried out during the year of 2019, applying surveys and interviews using key informants with experience in community positions.

Results: The results showed that families practice some traditional farming techniques with family labor. A delay was also observed in the incorporation of women (5.5%) and in the generational rotation of producers, 84% are over 40 years old and of these 69% only have primary education, so they do not know the fundamentals of agricultural practices used, this limits the use of machinery to reduce workload, production costs or innovate

Limitations on study/implications: The main limitation was the sample size and the repeatability of the study, a single community was analyzed. It is proposed to extend to other communities with similar characteristics

Findings/conclusions: Semi-traditional agriculture has preserved the local maize races. However, it is necessary for the community to incorporate dynamics that diversify agricultural activities, crops, establish intra-community cooperation and trade networks, so that agricultural activities are a profitable economic option for the new generations, who would have a greater capacity to acquire the foundations of a sustainable agriculture that improves its yield but, with the challenge of keeping traditional agricultural practices intact

Keywords: Mulato Viejo, rural nucleus, solidarity networks.