Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-dlnhk Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-24T08:42:26.242Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Assessing the sustainability of a terraced agroecosystem for production of nopal vegetable (Opuntia ficus-indica) in metropolitan Mexico City

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  30 October 2009

H. Losada ,
J. Vieyra ,
R. Soriano ,
R. Bennett ,
J. Cortés  and
P. Zavaleta
H. Losada*
Affiliation:
Affiliated with the Department of Biology of Reproduction, Division of Biological and Health Sciences, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Iztapalapa, Av. San Rafael Atlixco 186, Col. Vicentina, Iztapalpa C.P. 09340, México, D.F.
J. Vieyra
Affiliation:
Affiliated with the Department of Biology of Reproduction, Division of Biological and Health Sciences, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Iztapalapa, Av. San Rafael Atlixco 186, Col. Vicentina, Iztapalpa C.P. 09340, México, D.F.
R. Soriano
Affiliation:
Affiliated with the Department of Biology of Reproduction, Division of Biological and Health Sciences, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Iztapalapa, Av. San Rafael Atlixco 186, Col. Vicentina, Iztapalpa C.P. 09340, México, D.F.
R. Bennett
Affiliation:
Researcher from the United Kingdom sponsored by an exchange program between CONACYT (Mexican Council for Science and Technology) and British Council;, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Xochimilco, Av. del Hueso 11000, Col. Villaquietud, Tlalpan C.P. 04960, México, D.F.
J. Cortés
Affiliation:
Affiliated with the Department of Biology of Reproduction, Division of Biological and Health Sciences, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Iztapalapa, Av. San Rafael Atlixco 186, Col. Vicentina, Iztapalpa C.P. 09340, México, D.F.
P. Zavaleta
Affiliation:
Department of Agricultural and Animal Production, Division of Biological and Health Services, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Xochimilco, Av. del Hueso 11000, Col. Villaquietud, Tlalpan C.P. 04960, México, D.F.
*
Corresponding author is H. Losada ([email protected]).
Get access

Abstract

A case study of the nopal-vegetable agroecosystem in metropolitan Mexico City was conducted to evaluate the crop's economic productivity and sustainability using economic, social, and environmental indicators. Economic indicators were based on a gross margin analysis, commercialization strategies, and provision of employment. Social indicators were education level, family size, origin of laborers, plot size providing a measure of equity, and social self-organization. Environmental indicators were soil nutrient content and fertilizer application, technological management, and crop and natural biodiversity. Information on relevant social, technological, and economic elements was obtained through structured interviews with 100 producers of the city's nopalproducing zone of Milpa Alta in the hills southeast of Mexico City. Analysis of soil samples from cropped fields at three different depths was conducted, along with a study of nopal-associated weed species used by the community. Net income per ha was equivalent to 4 minimum wages. Estimated scores of 89, 74, and 64 (on a scale of 0 to 100) were obtained for social, economic, and environmental sustainability indicators, respectfully, for this unique cropping system. Discussion focuses on trade-offs between indicators, the cost of achieving sustainability in the metropolitan zone of Mexico City, and appropriate policy responses.

Keywords

economic indicatorsenvironmental indicatorsfarm accountsfarm laborfarm sizeland usesocial indicatorsurban agriculture
Type
Articles
Information
American Journal of Alternative Agriculture , Volume 16 , Issue 3 , September 2001 , pp. 98 - 105
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2001

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1.Aguilar, A.G., and Herrara, I. Escamilla. 1999. Problems of Megacities: Social Inequalities, Environmental Risk and Urban Governance. Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Instituto de Geografía, México, D.F.Google Scholar
2.Cai, Y., and Smit, B.. 1994. Sustainability in agriculture: A general review. Agric. Ecosys. Environ. 49:299–307.Google Scholar
3.Canabal Cristiani, B., Torres-Lima, P.A., and Rueda, G. Burela. 1992. La Ciudad y Sus Chinampas: El Caso de Xochimilco (The City and Its Small Plots of Land). Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Xochimilco, México, D.F.Google Scholar
4.Carmona, E., Jimenez, J.J., and Gómez-Pompa, A.. 1995. Las Chinampas: Un Ecosistema Antropogénico. Memoria del Primer Seminario Internacional de Investigadores de Xochimilco. Asociación Internacional de Investigadores de Xochimilco A.C. p. 13–29.Google Scholar
5.Dalsgaard, J.P.T., Lightfoot, C., and Christensen, V.. 1995. Towards quantification of ecological sustainability in farming systems analysis. Ecol. Engr. 4:181–189.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
6.Daubenmire, R. 1968. Ecology of fire in grasslands. In Cragg, J.B. (ed.). Advances in Ecological Research Vol. 5. New York, Academic Press, p. 209–266.Google Scholar
7.De Vaus, D.A. 1990. Surveys in Social Research. 2nd ed.Unwin Hyman, London.Google Scholar
8.Flores, C., Ramirez, P., De Luna, J., and Ponce, P.. 1997. Diagnóstico y programa de desarrollo del sistema producto tuna. SAGAR-UACh-CIESTAAM, México.Google Scholar
9.Francis, C.A., and Youngberg, G.. 1990. Sustainable agriculture—An overview. In Francis, C.A., Flora, C.B., and King, L.D. (eds.). Sustainable Agriculture in Temperate Zones. Wiley, New York. p. 1–23.Google Scholar
10.García, E. 1973. Modificaciones al Sistema de Clasificación Climática de Káppen. Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, México, D.F.Google Scholar
11.Granados Sánchez, D., and Castañeda Pérez, A.D.. 1991. El Nopal: Historia, Fisiología, Genética e Importancia Frutícola. Editorial Trillas, México, D.F.Google Scholar
12.Grether, R. 1997. Propuesta técnica del Programa de desarrollo regionial sustentable de la región sur del Distrito Federal. Documento de discusión interna. SEMARNAP, México.Google Scholar
13.Huston, M.A. 1994. Biological Diversity: The Coexistence of Species on Changing Landscapes. Cambridge University Press, New York.Google Scholar
14.INEGI. 1991a. Panorama Agropecuario: VII Censo Agropecuario. Instituto Nacional de Estadística, Geografía e Informática, México, D.F.Google Scholar
15.INEGI. 1991b. XI Censo General de Población y Vivienda. Instituto Nacional de Estadística, Geografía e Informática, México, D.F.Google Scholar
16.INEGI. 1994. VII Censo Agrícola y Ganadero de los Estados Unidos Mexicanos 1990. Instituto Nacional de Estadísticas, Geografía e Informática, Mexico, D.F.Google Scholar
17.Koptsik, G N., Makarov, M.I., Kiseleva, V.V.. 1998. Principles and Methods of Assessment of Soil Sustainability to Atmospheric Acid Deposition. Moscow University Publishing House, Moscow.Google Scholar
18.Losada, H., Grande, D., Vieyra, J., Arias, L., Pealing, R., Rangel, J., and Fierro, A.. 1996a. A sub-urban agro-ecosystem of nopal-vegetable production based on the intensive use of dairy cattle manure in the southeast hills of Mexico City. Liv. Res. Rural Devel. 8(4). Web site http://www.cipav.org.co/krd/ (verified 15 November 2000).Google Scholar
19.Losada, H., Martínez, H., Vieyra, J., Pealing, R., Zavala, R., and Cortés, J.. 1998. Urban agriculture in the metropolitan zone of Mexico City: Changes over time in urban, suburban and peri-urban areas. Environment and Urbanization 10(2):37–54.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
20.Losada, H., Neale, M., Rivera, J., Grande, D., Zavala, R., Arias, L., Fierro, A., and Vieyra, J.. 1996b. Traditional agricultural and animal production in the southeast of Mexico City as a resource for sustainable agriculture. 4. The presence and experimental utilization of the ‘nopal’ (Opuntiaficus-indica) as an important sustainable crop of terraced areas. Liv. Res. Rural Devel. 8(2). Web site http://www.cipav.org.co/lrrd/ (verified 15 November 2000).Google Scholar
21.Losada, H., Vieyra, J., Cortés, J., Pealing, R., Martínez, H., López, M., Arias, L., Zamudio, A., and Martinez, G.. 1997. Urban agriculture and livestock in the city of Mexico: An option for a sustainable future. Urban Agric. Notes. Web site http://www.cityfarmer.org/mexico.html (verified 15 November 2000).Google Scholar
22.Marsh, C. 1982. The Survey Method: The Contribution of Surveys to Sociological Explanation. Allen & Unwin, London.Google Scholar
23.Microsoft Corporation. 1994. Microsoft Excel: User's Guide Book. Ver. 5.0. Microsoft Press, Redmond, WA.Google Scholar
24.Ortiz, V.B., and Ortiz, C.A. 1980. Edafologia. edicion. Universidad Autónoma de Chapingo, Chapingo, México, p. 87–93.Google Scholar
25.Palerm, A. 1990. México Prehispánico: Ensayos Sobre Evolución y Ecología. Consejo Nacional para la Cultura y las Artes, Dirección General de Publicaciones, México, D.F.Google Scholar
26.Pimentel, D., Culliney, T.W., Buttler, I.W., Reineman, D.J., and Beckman, K.B.. 1989. Low-input sustainable agriculture using ecological management practices. Agric. Ecosys. Environ. 27:3–24.Google Scholar
27.Pretty, J. 1995. Regenerating Agriculture: Policies and Practice for Sustainability and Self-reliance. Earthscan, London, p. 267–280.Google Scholar
28.Rojas, T. 1991. La agricultura en la época prehispánica. En T. Rojas. La Agricultura en Tierras Mexicanas Desde sus Orígenes Hasta Nuestros Días. Los Noventa 71. Consejo Nacional para la Cultura y las Artes; Editorial Grijalbo, México, D.F.Google Scholar
29.Rowell, D.L. 1994. Soil Science: Methods and Applications. Longman Scientific & Technical, Harlow, Essex, U.K.Google Scholar
30.Senanayake, R. 1991. Sustainable agriculture: Definitions and parameters for measurement. J. Sustainable Agric. 1(4):7–28.Google Scholar
31.Soriano, R. 1999. The Chinampa System as a Model of Sustainable Agriculture. Ph.D. diss. University of London, Wye College.Google Scholar
32.Soriano, R., and Losada, H.. 1993. Modelos de Produccion Agropecuaria en la Region de Xochimilco. II. La Zona Lacustre. En Memorias del Congreso Nacional de Investigacion en Sistemas de Produccion Agropecuarios. UAM-UAEM, México.Google Scholar
33.Torres-Lima, P.A. 1991. El Campesinado en la Estructura Urbana: El Caso de Milpa Alta. Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Xochimilco, México, D.F. p. 25–49.Google Scholar
34.USEPA. 1999. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Pesticide Programs, Washington, DC. Web site http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/ (viewed August 1999).Google Scholar