lmpact, vulnerability and alternatives cultures in north-central Mexico.

Abstract

In Mexico, two thirds of the territory is arid and serniarid. Here, rain-fed agriculture is considered as an essential econornic activity. Nowadays, risk and uncertainty are implicit in such areas. Constantly, farrners obtain the lower yields by surface unit. The thermopluviometric conditions that, due to natural processes and effects caused by the El Niño phenomenon or by the global and regional anthropic effects ha ve modified its temporality, quantity and distribution; and all these has affected the seasonal producers traditional ways by executing different farming practices. Unfortunately, this is translated in lower yields. The study that takes place in the central zone of Guanajuato is an exarnple of the physical, econornic and social conditions which prevail in most of the Mexican regions where sorne kind of season farrning is practiced. In this work, we analyzed the precipitation distribution and its effects in relation to the season production in relation to the last fifteen years. This was also made through the behavior knowledge and current distribution of weather elements within certain time and space conditions, as well as through the analysis of new cultures agro climatic requirements. We propose adaptation strategies that fit to these changes. As a potential regionalization was obtained, we suggest the introduction of alternative cultures. For exarnple: amaranth, sorghum and fodder sunfiower that will contribute in the region population economy and diet.