SOCIOECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS OF THE HABANERO CHILI (Capsicum chinense Jacq) PRODUCERS, IN THE CAMPECHE STATE, MÉXICO

Abstract

A qualitative non-experimental-participatory research-action study was carried out from November 2018 to March 2019, with the main objective of identifying the problematic faced by habanero chili producers in Campeche, Mexico, in order to provide a framework for the decision-making, as well as generating a baseline for further studies. A set of indicators was constructed by applying the MESMIS method for the general characterization of the production system. The critical factors were identified on the basis of a participatory rural diagnosis, by selecting the producers who most explained the resolution of the critical points using indicators. A structured survey was applied to diagnose the technological level and the benefits from the activity. As a result, the producers were divided into four levels according to their productive and technological capacity, and the network of total exchanges which characterizes the production system was built. Despite the good results of the activity, its main limitations are as follows: insufficient management of irrigation water, lack of technology transfer, incidence of diseases and pests, excessive use of agrochemicals, lack of capital, inputs expensive, guaranteed prices non-existent, few commercial varieties, lack of added value, lack of organization among producers and poor marketing channels. If these limits are lifted, growing habanero chilis will be a more profitable and competitive activity.