Category: Working Papers

Indigenous agro-food systems in transition: Experiences from three territories in Bolivia, Guatemala and Mexico

This study explores the dynamics of indigenous agri-food systems in transition in three Latin American territories: Sierra Norte de Puebla (Mexico), Alta Verapaz (Guatemala), and Torotoro (Bolivia). Through surveys of 569 indigenous farmers, it examines how local communities respond to the pressures of climate change, socioeconomic vulnerability, and market integration. The results reveal high levels of pluriactivity, self-production of food for household consumption, and significant dependence on local markets, along with increasing environmental risks such as drought and soil degradation. In the context of adverse conditions, households maintain agroecological practices such as crop diversification and the conservation of native seeds, while using conventional agricultural inputs to maintain productivity. The findings illustrate that indigenous agri-food systems are not static but rather adopt hybrid strategies that combine tradition and modernity to ensure livelihoods and food security in increasingly uncertain contexts.

The Four Indigenous Directions: Towards a Governance of Planet Earth in Balance

This document is based on Ken Paul’s presentation on sustainable governance of planet Earth and
the oceans for the meeting “Transformation of food systems: perspectives of indigenous peoples
and nations of the Americas” held in Yunguilla, Ecuador, with the participation of representatives
of indigenous peoples and nations of the Americas.

Between the desire to act and the reality of achieving the objective. Tensions of indigenous rural youth regarding agroecology

This study explores the tensions faced by rural indigenous youth in Latin America with respect to agroecology in three territories: Sierra Norte de Puebla (Mexico), Alta Verapaz (Guatemala) and Torotoro (Bolivia). The objective was to understand how these young people perceive agroecology and the barriers they face in implementing it. A qualitative methodology was employed, including participatory visual techniques (photovoice) and semi-structured interviews with 22 youth who participated in a leadership training program. Key findings revealed four critical problem areas: (1) the conflict between the desire for healthy, chemical-free agriculture and the predominant use of agrochemicals; (2) the gap between learning agroecological techniques and the lack of land or decision-making power to apply them; (3) valuing traditional food systems while increasingly consuming processed foods; and (4) skepticism about the scalability of agroecology amidst generational disenchantment with rural life. The study highlights the need for policies that address access to land, inclusion of youth, and innovative approaches to make agroecology viable for younger generations.

Analysis of interviews with young coca and poppy growers in Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico and Peru.

The document presents the main results and findings in interviews realized to 38 young coca and poppy growers. This research was carried out in four Latin American countries: Colombia, Mexico, Ecuador, and Peru. The objective was to identify the main characteristics of these young people, as well as understand the incentives and contexts that encourage them to stay in this activity or to make a change in the future. Besides, we identified similarities and differences in the conditions of the participants among these countries.