DIVERSITY OF LOCAL MAIZE IN EJIDOS OF THE FRAILESCA REGION OF CHIAPAS, MEXICO

Abstract

Background: In studies of local maize diversity, conservation is often identified as a linear process, related to the limited analysis of the implications of technological change, especially improved commercial seed, on local maize potential and its conservation. This generates increasing socio-technical complexity Objective: To characterize the potential of local maize present in two ejidos of the Frailesca region of Chiapas, considering the farmers' knowledge about them and the configurations they adopt together with other maize in the context of technological change. Methodology: Using the snowball technique, peasant domestic production units that conserve local maize (LM) were identified and samples were collected. The ethnographic method was used to deepen the farmers' knowledge of the local varieties and the configurations they share with other maize. The characteristics of the ear and kernel of the collected LM were described. Results: In the selected peasant domestic production units farmers maintain 15 varieties of LM based on a broad knowledge of these varieties; the basis of the selection process, conservation and adaptation to the conditions where they preserve them. According to the parameters of grains and cobs the LM collected are concentrated in three groups and form non-linear configurations with improved maize and other local varieties, in correspondence with the homogenizing technological flow typical of the Frailesca region. Implications: This productive environment where the conservation of LM is developed makes evident the importance of an integrative approach to capture their growing socio-technical complexity. Conclusions: The LM potential evidenced permanence and morphological variability despite the homogenizing effect of technological change in the study area, where the socio-technical framework of LM conservation becomes more complex and the broad expert knowledge of farmers on the management of maize diversity acquires greater relevance.

Keywords

• maíces locales
• diversidad
• conocimiento local
• cambio tecnológico.