Resolving the agriculture-petroleum conflict: the experience of cacao smallholders in Mexico
In 1972, PEMEX, the Mexican national oil company, discovered huge reserves of oil and natural gas along the Gulf Coast, and began intensive exploitation in Tabasco and northern Chiapas states. Severe conflict between PEMEX and the agricultural economy of Tabasco seemed certain. But despite problems of labor scarcity, inflation, migration, pollution, agricultural production 1974 to 1979 increased for the state's major products - cacao, coconut, beef, and bananas. This study analyzes how agriculture-petroleum conflicts have been resolved in Tabasco, and how relevant its experience is to other agricultural areas undergoing rapid large-scale industrial development. Cacao farming was chosen as a case study. Detailed farm budget, family employment, and technical production data were used to document farm production strategies. Research results suggest that resolution of agriculture-petroleum conflicts depends on: demographic conditions, employment conditions, agricultural prices, petroleum company flexibility, government development policy, and farmer political strength. Support for the campesino sector is critical.
- OSTI ID:
- 5109547
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: Thesis (Ph. D.)
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
29 ENERGY PLANNING
POLICY AND ECONOMY
AGRICULTURE
SOCIO-ECONOMIC FACTORS
MEXICO
PETROLEUM INDUSTRY
CACAO TREES
DEMOGRAPHY
EMPLOYMENT
POLITICAL ASPECTS
PRICES
DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
INDUSTRY
INSTITUTIONAL FACTORS
LATIN AMERICA
NORTH AMERICA
PLANTS
TREES
320300* - Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization- Industrial & Agricultural Processes
530000 - Environmental-Social Aspects of Energy Technologies- (-1989)
290200 - Energy Planning & Policy- Economics & Sociology
294002 - Energy Planning & Policy- Petroleum
290400 - Energy Planning & Policy- Energy Resources