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Threats to Milpa

The increasing population density and limited land allocation has forced farmers of Mayan heritage in small villages to shorten fallow periods, creating areas of young vegetation and practically eliminating old forests (16).  This also has important implications for the viability of farming, as shorter fallows reduce nutrient availability and increase the burden of weeds.  Indeed, reported average maize yields of approximately 750 kg/ha are significantly below the national average yield of 2 t/ha.  Weed infestation is also reported to be common, resulting in increased chemical use and consequent reduction in companion planting of squash and beans (2). The photo below shows the interaction between shortening fallow period and weed infestation. It is evident from the height of the surrounding forest that the fallow period was not sufficient. The consequent high incidence of weeds will likely impact crop yields, even if a large amount of labor is used to attempt to control them. Reduction in corn yields, leads to increased areas needed for production, resulting in a positive feedback of forest use.

A Milpa that has been made after insufficient fallow period. Photo: D. Parsons.

Milpa has historically been sustainable for long periods, and could continue to be, as long as fallow times are sufficient. In many tropical regions that practice slash and burn agriculture, reduced fallow periods occur due to increasing population. This is also true of Yucatan, however it is not the whole story. A key factor affecting Milpa was the change in settlement patterns in the post-Columbian era, with a formerly even distribution of people encouraged to congregate around convents and churches (19). This trend continues today, and high population densities are thus a localized problem, rather than a problem that affects all areas. In addition, in the pre-Columbian era all land was essentially communal. Now land tenure is more complex, consisting of a mixture of private property, national lands, communal lands and co-operative ejido land. As a consequence milpa practicioners are more restricted in their land choice.

Today, there is much less land dedicated to Milpa than during the pre-Columbian era, for a number of reasons. As already mentioned, the Spanish colonizers encouraged the concentration of settlements, and this trend continues, with the emigration of men to cities to seek off-farm work. Another reason for the reduced areas available for Milpa, is the conversion of land to cattle production in the east of the peninsula. Many interrelated factors threaten the future of Milpa. As the decline continues, there is concern that as the younger generation seek livelihoods in cities and towns, traditional agricultural knowledge is being lost. In addition, for a variety of reasons, Milpa is not supported by current local, state or national governments.