Yucatan’s Rural Crisis: Neglect Threatens Countryside & Heritage

The National Union of Agricultural Workers (UNTA) has raised concerns about the deteriorating conditions in the Yucatan countryside. They report a lack of support from federal and state governments, leading to a decrease in available agricultural land.

"Poverty, emigration, and social inequality are just a few of the issues we are grappling with," says Guillermo Cauich Durán, a representative of UNTA in Yucatan. He notes that the ejidos, intended to be the backbone of the rural economy, are neglected and unsupported.

The federal programs aimed at supporting the sector, such as Sowing Life and Production for Wellbeing, are deemed insufficient and do not fully address the needs of the Mexican countryside. "In Yucatan, the state government is not providing the necessary support for the countryside to become productive," Durán emphasizes.

Farmers and ejido owners need accessible loans, quality seeds, efficient irrigation systems, specialized technical assistance, and productive agricultural and livestock projects to revive the neglected countryside.

Potential for Yucatan Countryside

Despite these challenges, Durán believes there is hope. He envisions transforming the ejidos into self-sustaining communities where farmers can produce healthy food, generate income and jobs, and enjoy decent housing.

To achieve this, Durán suggests increasing the budget for the countryside, establishing training programs and technical assistance for producers, promoting sustainable agricultural production, and setting up fair marketing mechanisms.

Threat to Heritage Sites

Durán also warns that the cultural and natural heritage of rural communities is at risk. He cites the sale of land, ejidal houses, and the Yaxhuá cenote in Tixkokob as examples of how lack of support and protection can lead to a loss of identity and culture in rural communities.

He also points out a growing issue: the aging farmer population and the migration of young people away from the countryside due to lack of opportunities.

Budget Cuts

Durán laments the significant reduction in the agricultural sector's budget due to lack of investment and support from the government. He calls for urgent action to address these challenges and safeguard the future of the Yucatan countryside.