Coffee cultivation in Ojo de Agua de Cuauhtémoc, Malinaltepec, Guerrero

Abstract

In the region of the Mountain of Guerrero, coffee cultivation is mainly cared for by the indigenous population, and its production is affected by pests, diseases, poor management of the orchard, scarce institutional support, low price of coffee and intermediarism. The objective of this research was to systematize the coffee production process in the indigenous community of Ojo de Agua de Cuauhtémoc municipality of Malinaltepec, Guerrero and detect the crucial points to improve production. By census, 35 coffee producers were interviewed through a questionnaire to gather information on the production process. The average age of the producers was 52 years with a low level of schooling, with a cultivated area of coffee of less than one hectare. Ninety-four percent grow the variety Typica or creole. The harvest involves the family, the yield is low and the production is sold to the intermediary. Sixty percent of producers obtain income from coffee farming, despite little economic support from the State and limited producer organization. These problems are common in coffee regions, so developing skills and technical knowledge with producers will allow seed selection, orchard management, organic fertilizer production, biological control, effective producer organization, solidarity economy and self-management.