Management of Citrus Cultivation in Emerging Rural Communities in Mexico: Practices and Challenges in the Central-Northern Region of Veracruz

Eduardo Fernández-Echeverría, Marieli Lavoignet-Ruiz, Luis Enrique García-Santamaría, Gregorio Fernández-Lambert, Loecelia Ruvalcaba-Sánchez, Horacio Bautista-Santos, Fabiola Sánchez-Galván and Yair Romero-Romero ()
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Eduardo Fernández-Echeverría: Tecnológico Nacional de México/ITS de Zacapoaxtla, Carretera a Acuaco, Zacapoaxtla, Km 8 Totoltepec, Zacapoaxtla 73680, Mexico
Marieli Lavoignet-Ruiz: Laboratorio de Logística y Sustentabilidad en Economías Emergentes, Tecnológico Nacional de México/ITS de Misantla, Km 1.8 Carretera a Loma del Cojolite S/N, Veracruz 93850, Mexico
Luis Enrique García-Santamaría: Laboratorio de Logística y Sustentabilidad en Economías Emergentes, Tecnológico Nacional de México/ITS de Misantla, Km 1.8 Carretera a Loma del Cojolite S/N, Veracruz 93850, Mexico
Gregorio Fernández-Lambert: Laboratorio de Logística y Sustentabilidad en Economías Emergentes, Tecnológico Nacional de México/ITS de Misantla, Km 1.8 Carretera a Loma del Cojolite S/N, Veracruz 93850, Mexico
Loecelia Ruvalcaba-Sánchez: Centro de Investigación en Ciencias de Información Geoespacial, Contoy 137, Col. Lomas de Padierna, Alcaldía Tlalpan, C.P., Ciudad de México 14240, Mexico
Horacio Bautista-Santos: Tecnológico Nacional de México/Instituto Tecnológico Superior de Chicontepec, Carretera San Sebastián—Chicontepec S/N, Chicontepec 92705, Mexico
Fabiola Sánchez-Galván: Tecnológico Nacional de México/Instituto Tecnológico Superior de Tantoyuca, Desviación Lindero Tametate S/N, La Morita, Tantoyuca 92100, Mexico
Yair Romero-Romero: Consejo Nacional de Humanidades Ciencias y Tecnologías/Centro de Investigación y Asistencia en Tecnología y Diseño del Estado de Jalisco A.C., Av. Normalistas 800 Colinas de La Normal, Guadalajara 44270, Mexico

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 20, 1-21

Abstract: The central-northern region of Veracruz has experienced significant changes in traditional coffee cultivation and cattle raising due to the increased demand for fresh and industrialized citrus products. However, there is a lack of understanding regarding the use of agrochemicals in citrus production, driven by the belief that “more is better” and a limited awareness of responsible agricultural practices. This research examines citrus crop management in rural communities, focusing on farming practices aimed at improving production by controlling pests and diseases. Data for this study were collected from 51 producers through in-person surveys, using a 48-item questionnaire and the snowball sampling method. The findings reveal that despite 20 years of development, citrus production is still not fully established, and the excessive use of agrochemicals remains widespread. The expansion of citrus groves in the study region has altered the agricultural landscape and the socioeconomic structures of rural communities. Furthermore, environmental concerns about chemical residues in the fruit limit their commercialization and harm the environment through runoff into groundwater and water bodies. To address these issues, it is crucial to raise awareness and guide farmers toward the responsible use of chemicals in citrus cultivation, ensuring sustainable production and mitigating negative environmental impacts in all communities where citrus is grown.

Keywords: sustainable management; responsible agricultural practices; rural communities; agrochemicals; farmer knowledge (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
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