Poor farmers’ perceived benefits from different types of maize germplasm: the case of creolization in lowland tropical Mexico

This paper reports on a study of farmers’ assessment of different types of maize germplasm—improved varieties, landraces, and creolized varieties—in two poor, but contrasting, regions of Mexico. Results show that these different maize types are planted in both regions. Farmers do not perceive an ove...

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Main Authors: Bellon, Mauricio R., Adato, Michelle, Becerril, Javier, Mindek, Dubravka
Format: Journal Article
Language:Inglés
Published: Elsevier 2006
Subjects:
Online Access:https://hdl.handle.net/10568/172050
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author Bellon, Mauricio R.
Adato, Michelle
Becerril, Javier
Mindek, Dubravka
author_browse Adato, Michelle
Becerril, Javier
Bellon, Mauricio R.
Mindek, Dubravka
author_facet Bellon, Mauricio R.
Adato, Michelle
Becerril, Javier
Mindek, Dubravka
author_sort Bellon, Mauricio R.
collection Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace)
description This paper reports on a study of farmers’ assessment of different types of maize germplasm—improved varieties, landraces, and creolized varieties—in two poor, but contrasting, regions of Mexico. Results show that these different maize types are planted in both regions. Farmers do not perceive an overall superior maize type in either region; all types have advantages and disadvantages, which entail trade-offs. We examine the hypothesis that creolization lessens these trade-offs and, hence, is a way of enhancing the benefits that farmers obtain from improved germplasm. Results show that creolized varieties occupy a niche that shifts according to the availability of improved germplasm and the orientation of farmers’ maize production.
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language Inglés
publishDate 2006
publishDateRange 2006
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spelling CGSpace1720502025-02-19T14:07:25Z Poor farmers’ perceived benefits from different types of maize germplasm: the case of creolization in lowland tropical Mexico Bellon, Mauricio R. Adato, Michelle Becerril, Javier Mindek, Dubravka maize poverty alleviation germplasm agriculture varieties cultural development vulnerability landraces This paper reports on a study of farmers’ assessment of different types of maize germplasm—improved varieties, landraces, and creolized varieties—in two poor, but contrasting, regions of Mexico. Results show that these different maize types are planted in both regions. Farmers do not perceive an overall superior maize type in either region; all types have advantages and disadvantages, which entail trade-offs. We examine the hypothesis that creolization lessens these trade-offs and, hence, is a way of enhancing the benefits that farmers obtain from improved germplasm. Results show that creolized varieties occupy a niche that shifts according to the availability of improved germplasm and the orientation of farmers’ maize production. 2006-01 2025-01-29T12:59:14Z 2025-01-29T12:59:14Z Journal Article https://hdl.handle.net/10568/172050 en Limited Access Elsevier Bellon, Mauricio R.; Adato, Michelle; Becerril, Javier; Mindek, Dubravka. 2006. Poor farmers’ perceived benefits from different types of maize germplasm: the case of creolization in lowland tropical Mexico. World Development 34(1): 113-129. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.worlddev.2005.05.012
spellingShingle maize
poverty alleviation
germplasm
agriculture
varieties
cultural development
vulnerability
landraces
Bellon, Mauricio R.
Adato, Michelle
Becerril, Javier
Mindek, Dubravka
Poor farmers’ perceived benefits from different types of maize germplasm: the case of creolization in lowland tropical Mexico
title Poor farmers’ perceived benefits from different types of maize germplasm: the case of creolization in lowland tropical Mexico
title_full Poor farmers’ perceived benefits from different types of maize germplasm: the case of creolization in lowland tropical Mexico
title_fullStr Poor farmers’ perceived benefits from different types of maize germplasm: the case of creolization in lowland tropical Mexico
title_full_unstemmed Poor farmers’ perceived benefits from different types of maize germplasm: the case of creolization in lowland tropical Mexico
title_short Poor farmers’ perceived benefits from different types of maize germplasm: the case of creolization in lowland tropical Mexico
title_sort poor farmers perceived benefits from different types of maize germplasm the case of creolization in lowland tropical mexico
topic maize
poverty alleviation
germplasm
agriculture
varieties
cultural development
vulnerability
landraces
url https://hdl.handle.net/10568/172050
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