The peasant disorganization of the corn growers of Huandacareo Michoacán: reasons and significance

Abstract

Corn is the most researched cereal of agricultural products in Mexico. In the country, the crop is sown mainly under the temporary modality and in the spring-summer productive cycle. Corn (Zea mays L.) is an essential component of the diet of Mexicans, with an average per capita consumption of 120 kg, which is why it is important to observe the interconnections that exist between corn producers and how they have contributed significantly very important in the first instance to that of your family, community and regional scope. The research was carried out in the winter 2019-2020 in the municipality of Huandacareo, Michoacán. The objectives of this work was to analyze the problem of peasant economic organization; as well as show the costs of the precarious organization for the corn producer. 68 semi-structured interviews were conducted with conventional corn producers, which represented 100% of the sample. The results show that the problems of the existing peasant organizations are the client relationship, the short time of the producers, demagoguery, favoritism in the support, differences of interests and the smallholding. Likewise, the barriers that prevent the emergence of new organizations are the lack of resources and an organizational culture, envy, indisposed leaders, bad experiences from the past, incorrect public policy, little information and the search for short-term benefits. Indirect costs for the producer of the precarious organization are the purchase of expensive inputs, sale of products at market prices, little technical advice and a slow technology adoption process due to the scarce use of credit.