INDICATORS OF NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT IN THE PRODUCTION OF NOPAL (Opuntia ficus-indica L. Miller) IN MORELOS, MEXICO

Abstract

With the objective of identifying the strategies used by producers in the management of natural resources in nopal (Opuntia spp.) production, field visits were carried out, as well as interviews with leaders and producers, through the application of a questionnaire in the localities of Totolapan and Tlalnepantla in Morelos, México. All of the producers (100%) interviewed mentioned having awareness about the importance of conserving natural resources; 66 % of the interview respondents in Totolapan declared not being in agreement of opening new lands to cultivation; 54.7 % of the producers in Tlalnepantla mentioned that there is a positive effect in stopping soil degradation; another 52.8 % from Tlalnepantla stated that vigilance of the natural areas is necessary for the care of natural resources; 43.4 % mentioned that the intervention of producers to mitigate fires has low participation, with only some from Totolapan participating; meanwhile, 45.3 % of producers in Tlalnepantla pointed out that they get timber, wood, oxygen, medicinal and edible plants from the forest; therefore, it is necessary to implement strategies and actions that contribute to preserving the natural resources that they have available.