Backyard agricultural rural production and its integration into local food networks in Misantla, Mexico

• Published in: GeoJournal Vol. 89; no. 1; p. 12
• Main Authors: Romero, Nayeli Montalvo, Fernández-Lambert, Gregorio, García-Santamaría, Luis Enrique, Rosales, Aarón Montiel, Aguilar-Lasserre, Alberto A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Springer Netherlands 22.01.2024; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Agricultural economics; Consumers; Crops; Customers; Environmental Management; Farmers; Farming; Farms; Food; Foods; Geography; Harvest; Human Geography; Livestock; Livestock production; Local economy; Networks; Social Sciences; Supply; Supply chains; Trade; Mexico; Family farming; Food safety; Rural family economy; Short food chain; Backyard harvest; Backyard practices
• ISSN: 1572-9893; 0343-2521; 1572-9893
• DOI: 10.1007/s10708-024-11013-w

Studies in Asia, Europe, Central America, South America, and a few studies in Mexico related to backyard production, report the type of crops and benefit of the harvest for the producer through individual efforts. These studies, however, leave a gap in how these producers integrate collaboratively to have their products reach their customers. The objective of this research was to describe the configuration of economic agents involved in backyard farming in the intermunicipal region of Misantla, Mexico. Data was collected by means of an interview with 96 families, using a snowball strategy to reach a total of 254 families. However, 27 of them reported not engaging in backyard activities. As a result, the study was carried out with 227 farm families through an in-person structured survey. Findings show that backyard farming and livestock production in 70% of the families in this region of study is mainly for their own consumption, whereas production surplus is typically used as an additional income. Those involved in this production are identified as seed and farming tool providers ; backyard producers , and customers-consumers , all of which participate in 4 short-cycle supply chains with a fragile intermediation. These supply chains are the channel for fresh food to the food networks of local economies. These local food networks can help enhance food innocuity, traceability and commercial efficiency for backyard farmers.