Permanence of agricultural land use to urban-industrial pressure in Huejotzingo, Puebla, Mexico

Abstract

The aim of this study was to analyze the factors that have allowed the continuation of the agricultural land use in Huejotzingo, Puebla, Mexico, in spite the presence of urban and industrial surrounding development. Field visits were done to observe land use and land cover; georeferenced information was collected and analyzed by Geographic Information System (GIS); and socioeconomic information was gathered from informal interviews. In the territory, the main land cover is agricultural. The factors influencing the permanence of agricultural cover are: the means of production; the characteristics of the producer, the land valuation; and the development of an agricultural production system. The production means and producer type have consolidated a production system that ensures the reproduction of socioeconomic production units and, therefore, the permanence of agricultural cover.