Abstract

MARTINEZ-VASQUEZ, Esteban  and  VAZQUEZ-GARCIA, Verónica. Impact of the Transgenic Soy Expansion on Corn and Honey Production in Campeche, Mexico. Letras Verdes [online]. 2019, n.26, pp.173-190. ISSN 1390-6631.  https://doi.org/10.17141/letrasverdes.26.2019.3840.

During the second half of the 20Th century, the municipality of Hopelchén (Campeche), Southeast Mexico, became the target of programs designed to promote industrial agriculture through the opening of agricultural lands at the expense of the tropical forest. This model gainedstrength during the first two decades of the 21st century with the introduction of new crops. The objective of this paperis to analyze the factors that favored the expansion of genetically modified soybean in a region characterized by alongstanding milpa and beekeeping tradition. In order to achieve this objective, a mixed methodology isused, including apiary recognition, in-depth interviews (N=40), questionnaires (N=80) and workshops. Results show that the lack of convergence between different productive logics led to a socio-environmental conflict that can be attributed to the transformation of traditional agriculture and to the reduction of vegetation for honey production. The State played a crucial role in the promotion of industrial agriculture due to the government incentives that increasedsoybean production.

Keywords : agribusiness; beekeeping;genetically modified soybean, milpa; traditional agriculture.

        · abstract in Spanish     · text in Spanish     · Spanish ( pdf )