RED DOMÉSTICA DE PRODUCCIÓN DE NOPAL POR MUJERES INDIGENAS DE OAXACA, MÉXICO

Abstract

There are cultures such as the Zapotec in Oaxaca, Mexico, which through domestication, gave form and importance to a caltrop of the genus Nopalea spp., known as “nopal machetito” of consumption and local commerce. This region is highly expelling of male migrants to the United States (USA), originating towns with a high female population, children and the elderly. Even though the statistics refer to rural women as a workforce of up to 60%, their empowerment is slow for decision-making, and they show resistance to associate. A domestic cactus production network was formed with 68 women, each with a backyard garden to form a consolidated offer. High densities, organic management, drip irrigation, training program, tutored technical assistance, commercial planning and agroindustry equipment were designed in Ayoquezco, Oaxaca, gradually integrating each woman to the scheme of voluntary association and productive-commercial chain. The production was sustained, higher cutting frequency, standardized quality, collection and marketing model to San Marcos, California, USA, as a receiving area for Oaxacan emigrants, and with private and public support, a packinghouse was built, with organic certification of 65% of the gardens; and they are called Nopal Package of Ayoquezco Women (NPAW).