Abstract
Although the chinampa agriculture in Mexico City is considered an historical sustainable farming system,there have been few studies on its current status. This paper assesses the relationship between agroecological factors and socioeconomic strategies by analyzing urban forces, regional employment, and environmental concerns. Despite ecological deterioration caused by the urban expansion of Mexico City, the economic viability of this agricultural system is still based on the efficient use of farming technologies and resources management strategies that tend to maintain levels of productivity in horticulture and floriculture. The chinampa agriculture generates high income and employment for families and other local residents. This agroecosystem depends on the relationship between the economic priorities and agricultural criteria of farmers. We suggest that urban development, economic growth, and resource management in the chinampa region of Mexico City coincide with ecosystem processes, biological human needs, agronomic productivity, economic viability, and sociocultural values. By evaluating these factors, we provide some useful insights on the importance of this traditional agriculture within a sustainable development context.
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Additional information
Pablo Torres-Lima is a Professor in the Departmento de Produccion Agrícola y Animal at the Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Xochimilco. He is a member of the Sistema Nacional de Investigadores (México). His research and publications focus on sustainable agriculture and rural development. Currently, he is enrolled in the Sustainable Agriculture Program at the University of Maine (U. S. A.).
Beatriz Canabal is a Professor and coordinator of the Rural Development Program at the Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Xochimilco. She is also a member of the Sistema Nacional de Investigadores. She has published articles on peasant issues.
Gilberto Burela is a sociologist and research assistant in rural development. From 1987 to 1991, he participated in a sociological and agroecological study of the chinampa agriculture in Mexico City.
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Torres-Lima, P., Canabal-Cristiani, B. & Burela-Rueda, G. Urban sustainable agriculture: The paradox of the chinampa system in Mexico City. Agric Hum Values 11, 37–46 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01534447
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01534447