The evolution of agroecology in Mexico, 1920–2023

Elementa: Science of the Anthropocene 2024 Vol. 12(1) Art.No. 00092

Víctor M. Toledo, Quetzal Argueta

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1525/elementa.2023.00092

Abstract

During the last 2 decades, several studies have analyzed the theoretical and practical development of agroecology in different countries. In each country, the transition has followed different paths and paces. Using a detailed review of myriad sources, this article describes the evolution of agroecology in Mexico from 1920 to date. Our analysis was based on a set of indicators such as research teams, courses and degrees, publications, conferences, professional associations and unions, policies and laws, agricultural production, as well as social movements and resistances. We identified 5 main stages: a precursor stage (1920–1960), a foundational stage (1960–1980), an institutionalization stage (1980–2000), a deployment stage (2000–2018), and a scaling-up stage (2018–to date). The article discusses the importance of the role played by the current government in deploying and multiplying agroecological practices throughout the country. Given a history of over 7,000 years of agricultural practices, and a persistent tradition of small-scale farmer resistance movements that reached a peak during the agrarian revolution (1910–1917), in addition to the participation of small-scale producers in agroecologically oriented programs promoted by the current administration, the search for sustainable food systems in Mexico seems promising.

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