Social and technological parameters of a mixed prickly-pear/sheep farming system as a sustainable proposal in the rural area of Teotihuacán to the north of Mexico City

H Losada, J Rivera, J Cortés, P Zavaleta*, J Vieyra and T Losada**

Sustainable Agricultural Development Area Department of Biology of Reproduction Division of Biological and Health Sciences Autonomous Metropolitian University- Iztapalapa Avenida San Rafael Atlixco No 186 Colonia Vicentina, Iztapalapa CP 09340 México DF
*Environment  of Agricultural Systems Area Department of Agricultural Animal and Production Division of Biological and Health  Sciences Autonomous Metropolitan University-Xochimilco Calzada del Hueso No 11000 Villa Quietud Tlalpan CP 04960 Mexico DF
**Center of Political Studies Faculty of Social and Political Sciences UNAM
Circuito Mario de la Cueva SN Copilco Coyoacán CP 04510 México DF
hrlc@xanum.uam.mx

Abstract

A survey was carried out to study social and technological variables in two communities with a mixed prickly-pear/sheep farming system.

The shepherds reported being satisfied with their landscape and feeling safe in their comunities. 95% of the producers reported the use of animals, bicycle, bus and private cars as their means of transport. The length of time devoted to sheep production was 5, 10, 25, and 50 years for 28, 37, 16 and 19% of owners’ respectively. The flock size per producer ranged from 6 to 100 sheep, the average being 24, and the majority of  the animals were female. A considerable proportion of the sheep were local breeds (70%) and the rest included breeds specifically raised for meat and wool production. Feed resources were predominantly maguey leaves (Agave spp), native grasses, lucerne (Medicago sativa), maize (Zea mayz) and maize stubble, and household food leftovers, showing a strong seasonal variation throughout the year. The paper discusses the relation between social and technological aspects involved in a sustainable life style.

Key words: farming system, prickly-pear, sheep production, society

Parámetros sociales y tecnológicos de un sistema mixto de tuna-borregos como una propuesta de sustentabilidad en el área rural de Teotihuacán al norte de la Ciudad de Mexico

Resumen

Una investigación fue llevada a cabo para analizar las variables sociales y tecnológicas de dos comunidades con sistemas mixtos de producción tuna-borregos.

Los productores de borregos reportaron estar satisfechos con su paisaje y sentirse seguros en sus comunidades. 95% de los propietarios reportó el uso de animales, bicicleta, autobús y autos privados como sus medios de transporte. El tiempo promedio que se ha dedicado a la producción de borregos fue de 5, 10, 25 y 50 años para el 28, 37, 16 y 19% de los productores respectivamente. El tamaño del rebaño se mostró un rango de 6 a 100 animales, con un promedio de 24 borregos por productor para la zona, que en su mayoría fueron hembras. Una proporción significativa de borregos fueron animales criollos (70%) y el resto razas especificas para carne o lana. La principal fuente de alimentación fueron hojas de maguey (Agave spp), pastos nativos, alfalfa (Medicago sativa), maíz (Zea mayz), rastrojos de maíz y desperdicios de la casa, mostrando una variación estacional  de su uso durante el año. El trabajo discute los aspectos sociales y tecnológicos que se involucran en los estilos de vida sustentables.

Palabras clave: producción de borregos, sistemas de producción, sociedad, tunas

Introduction

Barbacoa (pit-cooked mutton) is a dish in great demand and is sold at weekends in the tourist corridors on the outskirts of Mexico City. This situation has led communities in the region to keep small herds of sheep which are fed on the naturally occurring grasses, crop residues and local plants as part of mixed farming systems. (Schiere and De Wit 1995). The Teotihuacán region located to the north of Mexico City, receives a great number of national and international tourists who visit the pyramids, and archaeological zone classified as a cultural heritage site by the United Nations Organization.

The region’s  sheep production systems are often linked to the cultivation of  prickly–pear (Opuntia megacantha). In this zone 12,000 ha. of prickly-pear nopal plants are grown and the fruit sent to urban markets for consumption in Mexico City and other large urban centers. The way prickly-pear nopal is sown, leaving a 3 m. space between plants, allows the growth of natural and induced grasses to be consumed by sheep during times when feed stuffs are scarce. This association of productive processes has been highlighted as an ideal way of defining the potential for sustainability of the systems that supply urban centers in view of the high land prices which restrict the use of  the physical space. Given the need to understand the functional dynamics of the system, it was considered important to analyze the concept man/animal in such a way that information could be obtained on the contribution of the system to the quality of life of the producers (Radoki 1999) as well as understanding the social, economic and environmental context in which the technology was used. The objective of the present study was to analyze the role of livestock production in rural and peri-urban communities on the basis of the benefits and opportunities provided by the agropastoral system.

Main geographical features of the Teotihuacán region

The Teotihuacán region is located in a wide valley to the northwest of the old lake of Texcoco. It covers an extension of 523 km², of which 85% (42 km²) belong to urban areas (are urbanized), 50% (261 km²) are dedicated to agriculture, 21% (110 km²) to maguey plantations (Agave spp) associated with other crops and the remaining 21% (110 km²) are covered with bushes and rangelands. The region presents considerable extensions of flat land in small valleys with average elevations of between 2200 and 2400 meters above sea-level (INEGI 2000) Water resources are limited to the presence of a river that flows through the municipality of  San Juan Teotihuacán, intermittent and seasonal streams and deep wells. The aquifer layers are located at a depth of between 185m. and 250m. The region has a wide range of soil types including limestone soils (tepetate) and thin layers of basaltic andesitic rock with a high iron content, magnesium, calcium and sodium and feozem soils brown in color and rich in organic matter. The predominant regional climates are dry steppe, semi-dry and temperate with an annual mean temperature of 16° C, with a of maximum  33° C and a  minimum of 2° C. Rainfall is in the range of 400 and 600 mm per year occurring seasonally in two main  periods; the summer between May and September and in the frosty winter months between  November and January. The flora of the region is predominantly xerophilous and includes a wide range of species of cacti and local (native) shrubs. The forest vegetation in the hills include firs (Abies spp), oyamel (Abies religiosa), cedar (Cedrus spp), pine (Pinus spp),aile (Alnus acuminta) and scrub oak (Quercus, spp).


Methodology

A field survey was carried out to collect information by means of a structured questionnaire designed to find the technological and commercial environments in which production occurs. Information regarding social aspects was collected by means of a survey planned to characterize the producer environment in the rural areas of Mexico City using indicators derived from Agenda 21 (Anon 1991). Before being extensively applied, the questionnaire was tested in the field and later corrected. In absence of reliable statistical sources that would permit us to establish the number of producers in the area, the producers surveyed were identified on the basis of those directly observed to be keeping animals or through informants (Soriano 1998) In total, 38 surveys were applied and included the owners of approximately 950 animals in the communities of San Felipe Teotitlán and Nopaltepec and considered representative of the mixed prickly pear/sheep farming system. The information obtained was analyzed using the Pinpoint 3.1 and SPPS programs and the results were expressed through descriptive statistics and expressed in frequency percentages. (Daniels 1984)
 

Results

Social features of the mixed prickly pear /sheep farming system

Well-being, services and security

All sheep producers reported pleasure in their natural landscape. The community’s public services included piped water, electricity and gas sources of energy. The places for fostering culture identified by the producers were libraries, schools and the local cultural centers (casas de la cultura), while there is an absence of museums, parks, cinemas, theatres, discos and bars. All producers reported feeling safe in the community as long as the type of security services referred to were police patrols provided by the municipal government.

Means of transport and communication

In general terms, most of the producers (95%) reported using animals as a means of transporting people and materials, as well as bicycles or bike-taxis, buses, minibuses for collective transport and cars. Access to means of communications in the communities included: telephone (86%), postal service (86%), telegraph (43%), messenger services (45%) and fax (86%). With respect to sheep producers specifically, 90% of them reported having access to telephone and postal services, 5% to the telegraph, 10% to messenger services and 43% to fax.

Pollution, garbage and health

The concept of pollution seems to be poorly understood in the community.  Amongst the population interviewed, only 5% linked contamination to environmental degradation, while specific types of pollution: atmospheric, aquifers and/or noise were not recognized as having had detrimental effects on human health during recent decades. With reference to sanitation and garbage (street sweeping and garbage collection), all sheep owners considered municipal services efficient. A minority of those interviewed (19%) recyle garbage and makes compost (5%), while 86% partially process garbage that is, they separate it, wash jars etc. The frequency and types of chronic illness reported by the producers and/or their families were notable and included diabetes (33%), liver diseases (10%) and headaches (5%). However severe illnesses (Table 1) covered a wide range of digestive and respiratory complaints. Most producers reported attending both public (100%) and private (95%) health centers.

Consumption

Food supply in the communities is carried out in two ways: through local retailers and the weekly market (tianguis); the latter being considered a reminiscence of prehispanic markets. Most of the food stuffs consumed available in the local community and there is a marked contrast between the types most frequently consumed and the preferences expressed which are presented in Table 2.

Table 2 presents a wide divergence between the meats and milk products consumed and the preference expressed, while in the case of other products, the differences are generally smaller

With reference to the most frequently consumed non-food products (Table 3) higher priority was given to clothing and footwear, soft drinks, electrical appliances and disks, while the consumption of alcoholic drinks and cigarettes was of lesser importance. 

Technical features of the mixed prickly pear/sheep farming system studied

Time involved in sheep ownership and acquisition of knowledge

The length of time producers reported as having kept animals varied and ranged from 1 to 50 years. Most producers (65%) reported keeping animals from between 1 to 20 years. In contrast, a smaller percentage answered said they had had them for between 21 to 50 years (see Table 4).  

As reported in other traditional production systems, in the area studied the knowledge and skills required for raising sheep was transmitted orally. The contribution of the family nucleus (father, uncles, siblings, and father-in-law) to the acquisition of knowledge was very important (65%), while external agents (friends and/or neighbors) represented another 35%. The reasons for keeping animals were mainly economic necessity (98%), for family maintenance (72%), while the rest (28%) reported it as an activity which supplented the family’s consumption capacity.

Flock size and composition

Flock size ranged from 6 to 97 animals (see Figure 1).   

Regionally they were composed of 24 animals most of which were productive ewes and/ or their replacements and the rest lambs or rams (Table 5).

With respect to the breed and /or type of animals, the majorities were local breeds (71%) and the rest were Suffolk (13%), Ramboulliet (8%), Australian Merino (6%) and Hampshire (3%). Decisive factors involved in the acquisition of rams and ewes included the evaluation a wide range of characteristics such as: size, breed, libido, and testicle size, quantity of wool and foot resistance.

Stabling and construction materials

All of the producers housed their animals in backyard enclosures overnight. Construction materials varied and included combinations of: recycled scaffolding timber (55%), cardboard sheeting (%), tree branches (29%), wire mesh (24%), brick (11%), cement (11%) and recycled materials obtained regionally including adobe (mud) bricks (18%). Most flocks were under the charge of one (45%) or two (37%) people in contrast with the number involved in caring for larger flocks which was 3 or more. As well as watching over the animals, tasks carried out by the shepherds included cleaning out the enclosure, (70%), shearing (25%) and treatment of illnesses (5%).

Animals feed stuffs

The supply and forms of feeds provided for the sheep varies according to the season and are included in Table 6 

The forms of grazing included taking advantage of a wide range of unconventional areas such as agricultural fields (41%), nopal plots, cultivated areas (34%), pasture and rangelands (3%). With respect to the time of year, agricultural lands were used more frequently between the autumn and spring, orchards in the spring-summer and rangelands the whole year round and lastly natural pastures from spring to autumn.

Animal management

The reproductive and productive handling (shearing) of the animals showed the marked effects of the seasons as is shown in Table 7.

As can be observed, most of the mating occurred during spring and summer, while it was less frequent in the autumn. In consequence, births occurred during the summer-winter period and shearing season  was similar to that reported for lambing.

Animal diseases are presented in table 8. It can be observed that higher incidences occurred in the cases of colds and tympanites (bloat), followed by pneumonia, scabies and cough. According to the producers, the cause of the tympanites was related to the consumption of clover (Tripholium pratens), mallow (Malva sylvestris) and fresh lucerne (Medicago sativa). The cough was related to the dry season while colds were linked to low temperature or the presence of flies. Treatment was carried out with suitable medicines recommended by technical advisers, medicine for human use or homemade remedies. The latter included a wide range of products such as soapy water, cooking oil, beer, herbal teas etc.

Economic features of the mixed prickly-pear/sheep farming system and community development policies

Commercialization of sheep

The animal products and sub-products obtained reported by producers included meat, wools, skins and manure. The meat exclusively was prepared for consumption as barbacoa, while wool was sold for the production of regional textiles and handicrafts. Manure was mainly used as a crop fertilizer (97%) while a small percentage of producers (3%) reported selling it.

Family incomes and community development policies

The distribution of family income derived from agriculture and other activities presented a differentiated effect associated with the members of the family as is shown in Table 9.

As would be expected for rural communities, the largest contribution to family income came from agricultural activities and the main provider in the family was the father in contrast to the contribution to the mother and children. With regard to non-agricultural activities, the situation was different since the participation of the children and mother was greater than that of the father.

A minority of producers answered that they had knowledge of community development policies (38%) and that they agreed with them (40%). Producers’ suggestions for the implementation of new policies included two basic aspects: an increase in community services and making them more efficient (57%), while others involving improving security and local organization were considered to be of lesser importance (5%).

Producers’ concept of quality of life

According to the results of the field work, quality of life was defined in a variety of  ways that are presented in Table 10

Discussion

An interesting issue rose during this study and which merits discussion is the apparent contradiction among the overall standard of living of the community influenced by the nearby Mexico City which contrasts with the traditional way in which animals are managed.

Taking into account small differences such as the concept of pollution that is not very well understood by those surveyed, the relationship between the inhabitants and the way that communities are managed reflected in most of the variables of the study (security, transport, media, health and food consumption) characteristics similar to those we have reported for the peri-urban spaces of Mexico City (Losada et al 1998). The reason that the communities have proved to be permeable to the advances in development could be understood in the light of the influence of the city whose public service infrastructure often crosses agricultural lands. A second aspect that may be of more importance would be related to the possibility of steady jobs that the city offers thus promoting the advance of technology beneficial to the communities.

Although the participation of Mexico in the GATT (1994), the OECD (1997) and later in NAFTA (DeBellevue 1994) would indicate that the country could be considered developed, the productive technology of the communities showed, in contrast, that most of the producers kept their animals within traditional systems adapted to the communities’ environmental conditions, a phenomenon previously reported (Alba and Vega 1997 Edward and Yunez-Naude 1995). A possible explanation of this situation might be found in the fall in demand for animals on the local markets that would discourage the introduction of technological improvements in flock management. However, most producers reported owning animals for the last 30 years (81%), while the rest (19%) had been keeping them for between 31 and 50 years. This coincides with the rise of tourism corridors around Mexico City, the creation and operation of which has led to a great demand for animals over the past 30 years. This suggestion is supported by the fact that most producers have reported that the main objective of meat production is sustaining their families; thereby permitting us discard problems related to the market as an explanation.

A second hypothesis that could explain that lack of technological change would be related to the poor results obtained by the introduction of improved breeds (such as Suffolk) for meat production in relation to the environmental conditions in the communities. According to the data obtained in the present study, the mean flock size per producer was 24 animals, the majority of which were local breeds (71%) with the genetic ability for meat production, while specialized breeds like Suffolk played a secondary role (13%). We have reported this type of flock structure in previous papers (Losada et al 1996) in the agrosilvopastoral system of the Ajusco (Lucas and Martínez 1993; Losada et al 1999) where the flock size is larger (mean of 466 animals/producer) but with local breeds predominating (71%) and Suffolk comprising a small proportion of the total (21%), both types being sold for meat in preparation of barbacoa in the tourist corridors of Mexico City. The similarities in flock size in both systems and in the proportion of types and breeds is clear evidence of the attempts that have been made to improve their genetic potential. However, it would appear that the management of the new animals (Suffolk) is not appropriate, thus favoring the presence of reproductive problems, (mainly abortions) and therefore limiting their popularity amongst producers (Soto 2004 personal communication).

In contrast to the attempts at improving the genetic potential of the flocks, the persistence of local breeds of sheep in the area constitutes an argument in favors of the sustainability required. In spite of reports of lower body size and/or live weight gains amongst local breeds, a strong justification for their persistence would be provided by the difficult climatic conditions (semi-arid) and restricted access to good quality grass. These two factors in fact might create conditions favorable to traditional production systems coupled with a minimum of external inputs. The relationship of the animals with the local environment was evident in the design of the system of feeding composed mainly of maguey leaves (pencas), native grasses and maize stubble, whereas the use of lucerne hay, grains, silage and household leftovers (stale tortilla) was of lesser importance. The extensive use of maguey leaves throughout the year is interesting since it constitutes an alternative use for this plant that has not been taken into account by either local governments or agricultural development agencies which have tended to discard the maguey as the production of pulque, an alcoholic drink coming from the plant has decreased significantly in the face of competition from beer.

Conclusions

• The social relationships of the communities with mixed prickly-pear/sheep farming systems show the impact of their vicinity to Mexico City  with respect to the access to services, whereas technological variables demonstrated the predominance of a traditional adapted to local environmental conditions and with restricted use of external inputs, thus indicating their suitability for incorporation into sustainable development strategies.
   

Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank the sheep producers from the San Juan Teotihuacán region for the information which made this study possible and the authorities of the UAM for the support provided. To Mrs Susan Jones Harris for language translation of the manuscript.

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Received 17 May 2006; Accepted 22 December 2006; Published 4 October 2007

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