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Smallholder Livelihood Adaptation in the Context of Neoliberal Policy Reforms: A Case of Maize Farmers in Southern Veracruz, Mexico

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  • Sytske F. Groenewald
  • Marrit M. Van Den Berg

Abstract

Governments around the world have embraced trade liberalisation as a means of enhancing efficiency to realise economic growth and alleviate poverty. Likewise, the Mexican government implemented neoliberal policy reforms, the NAFTA in particular, to stimulate sustainable development. Using the Mexican maize sector as illustration, this article describes the adaptation process of smallholders to market changes shaped by these reforms. Going beyond the aggregated level, we have investigated smallholders' livelihood strategies. Contrary to what economic models estimated, our data suggests that farmers intensified the cultivation of maize rather than switch to sectors in which Mexico has a comparative advantage.

Suggested Citation

  • Sytske F. Groenewald & Marrit M. Van Den Berg, 2012. "Smallholder Livelihood Adaptation in the Context of Neoliberal Policy Reforms: A Case of Maize Farmers in Southern Veracruz, Mexico," Journal of Development Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 48(3), pages 429-444, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:jdevst:v:48:y:2012:i:3:p:429-444
    DOI: 10.1080/00220388.2011.615923
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ellis, Frank, 2000. "Rural Livelihoods and Diversity in Developing Countries," OUP Catalogue, Oxford University Press, number 9780198296966.
    2. Unknown, 2005. "North American Agrifood Market Integration: Situation and Perspectives," 2004 NAAMIC Workshop I: North American Agrifood Market Integration: Current Situation and Perspectives 252450, North American Agrifood Market Integration Consortium (NAAMIC).
    3. Antonio YUNEZ NAUDE & J. Edward TAYLOR, 2006. "The Effects Of Nafta And Domestic Reforms In The Agriculture Of Mexico: Predictions And Facts," Region et Developpement, Region et Developpement, LEAD, Universite du Sud - Toulon Var, vol. 23, pages 161-186.
    4. Frank Ellis, 2000. "The Determinants of Rural Livelihood Diversification in Developing Countries," Journal of Agricultural Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 51(2), pages 289-302, May.
    5. Hans G. P. Jansen & John Pender & Amy Damon & Willem Wielemaker & Rob Schipper, 2006. "Policies for sustainable development in the hillside areas of Honduras: a quantitative livelihoods approach," Agricultural Economics, International Association of Agricultural Economists, vol. 34(2), pages 141-153, March.
    6. Jansen, Hans G. P. & Pender, John L. & Damon, Amy & Schipper, Rob, 2006. "Rural development policies and sustainable land use in the hillside areas of Honduras: a quantitative livelihoods approach," Research reports 147, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).
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    Cited by:

    1. Guevara Alvarez, Gloria, 2020. "Overcoming quality uncertainty of hybrid maize seeds: An individually-randomized trial of labeling information in Chiapas, Mexico," 2020 Annual Meeting, July 26-28, Kansas City, Missouri 304311, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association.
    2. Bruno Locatelli & Paulina Aldunce & Abigaïl Fallot & Jean-François Le Coq & Eric Sabourin & Jeimar Tapasco, 2017. "Research on Climate Change Policies and Rural Development in Latin America: Scope and Gaps," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(10), pages 1-17, October.
    3. Mukda Suwannasri & Buapun Promphakping, 2022. "Sustainability of Smallholders in the Local Food System: A Study of Chicken Layer Farms in Nakhon Phanom Province, Northeast Thailand," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(10), pages 1-13, May.

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