Farmers in the Tlapaneco River region of Mexico were surveyed about their perceptions of different riparian land use systems. While they valued the landscape beauty and environmental services of agroforestry systems, they preferred monoculture orchards because they believed they provided higher economic returns. Agroforestry systems were seen as less productive due to shading and competition between trees and crops for nutrients. Though environmental benefits were acknowledged, economic factors were the primary determinants in farmers' land use preferences.
7. The agricultural development policy is toward
monoculture
Annual crops
OrchardsĀ ofĀ aĀ singleĀ speciesĀ
Productive chains of corn, rice, and mamey sapote
(Pouteria sapota)
Conservationists promote keeping
agroforestry
8. The aim of this study was known how farmers
appreciate agroforestry systems with regard to the
ecological, recreational and productive functions they
fulfill
AĀ questionnaireĀ wasĀ appliedĀ toĀ 42Ā farmers
They were asked their opinion regarding
preferences and ratings of four representative
photographs of the four predominant farming
systems in the area
9. 1 2
3 4
Monocropping OrchardsĀ ofĀ aĀ singleĀ
speciesĀ
AlleyĀ croppingĀ system
OrchardsĀ withĀ variousĀ
species
10. Questions Attribute
Which of the sites shown in the
photograph is easier to work with?
PRODUCTIVITY
Which of the sites shown in the
photograph gives more income?
PRODUCTIVITY
Which of the sites shown in the
photograph do you sell at a higher
price per hectare?
PRODUCTIVITY
Which of the sites shown in the
photograph has less crop pests?
PRODUCTIVITY
11. Questions Attribute
What is the picture that you like
more than others?
LANDSCAPE
What is the most beautiful
picture?
LANDSCAPE
What is the picture your sons
and daughters would like more?
LANDSCAPE
What is the picture the people in
your community would like
more?
LANDSCAPE
12. Questions Attributes
What is the place shown in
the picture that is more
pleasant for you?
RECREATION
Which of the locations
shown in the photos you
would spend more time to
rest?
RECREATION
Which of the locations
shown in the photos visitors
would spend more time to
rest?
RECREATION
13. Questions Attributes
Which of the sites shown in the
photograph you consider that it is more
environmentally friendly?
ENVIRONMENT
Which of the sites shown in the
photograph uses less water?
ENVIRONMENT
Which of the sites shown in the
photograph has more diversity of wild
animals?
ENVIRONMENT
Which of the sites shown in the
photograph is less protected from
flooding?
ENVIRONMENT
18. According to de question which of the production systems
shown in the photograph you prefer for your land? The
respondents prefer the orchard of a single species.
This is associated with a perception of productivity and
profitability.
Although respondents value the environmental services of
agroforestry systems and orchards, the determining factor
in his preference is the economic value of the production
system.
They consider that the growth of trees on their land have
effects such as shading and competition for nutrients,
reducing production and economic returns.
19. They consider that the growth of trees on their
land have effects such as shading and competition
for nutrients, reducing production and economic
returns
Why doĀ they not prefer the agroecosytem
systems?