Transdisciplinary Interventions to Improve the Sustainability of Maize Agroecosystems: A Case Study from Mexico

the sustainability of maize agroecosystems

  • Martha Elene Dominguez Hernandez UNAM FES-CUAUTITLAN
  • Elisa Dominguez-Hernandez Autonomous University of Queretaro
  • Guillermina Martinez-Barrera UNAM FES-CUAUTITLAN
  • Arnulfo Dominguez-Hernandez Posgrado en Ingeniería de Sistemas de la ESIME-IPN
  • Rosalba Zepeda-Bautista Posgrado en Ingeniería de Sistemas de la ESIME-IPN
DOI: https://doi.org/10.22545/2022/00196
Keywords: Sustainability, agroecosystems, transdiscipline, agroecology, food security

Abstract

The municipality of Ahuazotepec presented a complex food insecurity scenario, mainly because there are limitations regarding food supply/local maize production and the inhabitants so their access to food can be disrupted quite easily. A transdisciplinary approach and methodology were adapted to analyze, design, implement, and evaluate an agricultural intervention to improve agroecosystems in the region using agroecological practices. The experimental results indicated that the application of agroecological fertilization management improved soil fertility indicators, grain yield, benefit-to-cost ratio, and the resilience of the system. For the intervention, when a transdisciplinary scheme in which collaboration between actors was intensified, the benefits are greater than in a conventional scheme, where only economic or in-kind aid is provided, even when based on similar practices.

Published
2022-07-25
How to Cite
Dominguez Hernandez, M. E., Dominguez-Hernandez , E., Martinez-Barrera , G., Dominguez-Hernandez, A., & Zepeda-Bautista , R. (2022). Transdisciplinary Interventions to Improve the Sustainability of Maize Agroecosystems: A Case Study from Mexico. Transdisciplinary Journal of Engineering & Science, 13. https://doi.org/10.22545/2022/00196
Issue
Vol 13 (2022)
Section
Special Issue: “Social & Environmental Challenges for a Sustainable World”