PROFITABILITY OF CORN (Zea mays L.) CULTIVATED BY MILPA SYSTEM IN OAXACA, PUEBLA, AND VERACRUZ

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To compare the profitability of corn cultivation under the milpa system in Oaxaca, Puebla, and Veracruz.

METHODOLOGY: A sample of 91 producers from Villa de Zaachila, Oaxaca, Chalchicomula de Sesma, Puebla, and Tequila, Veracruz, was interviewed about corn production by milpa production system. The average yields per hectare, costs, sale price and total income are compared, and the Cost Benefit Ratio (CBR) of the milpas in each municipality was interpreted.

RESULTS: Maize production in Villa de Zaachila presented a modern agriculture with total production costs of 13,650 $ ha-1, yield 2,257 kg ha-1, total income 23,429.27 $ ha-1 and RBC 1.72. In Chalchicomula de Sesma, a traditional agriculture destined for commercialization to intermediaries, its total costs were 12,380 $ ha-1, yield of 2,456 kg ha-1, total income 12,280.00 $ ha-1 and RBC 0.99. In Tequila, a subsistence agricultural, with total production costs of 7,350 $ ha-1, yield 964 kg ha-1, total income of 6,748.00 $ ha-1 and RBC 0.92.

STUDY LIMITATIONS: The data is taken from an exploratory sample, limited in time and space. Versions or productive practices not sampled could be omitted, with technical-economic specificities different from those presented in this study.

CONCLUSIONS: The contrasting modifications in the structure, function, and logic of the milpa for the 2020-2021 cycle, allowed a profitable agroecosystem in Villa de Zaachila; however, it was not profitable in Chalchicomula de Sesma and Tequila.