Jatropha curcas: a sustainable development option in the ejido Cinco de Febrero, Champotón, Campeche, Mexico

Abstract

In the ejido Cinco de Febrero, Champotón, Campeche, Jatropha curcas L. variety "Doña Fernanda" was used in a technology transfer project to assess its feasibility as an option for rural development while respecting the milpa culture under an agrosilvopastoral system. Those interested in the project were interviewed, and with this data the socioeconomic and agricultural conditions of the ejido were described. Two sample plantations were established to make the relevant technical observations of the crop, and the early adaptation of the plant was observed. In 2018, one year after being transplanted in the field, J. curcas had an acceptable fruit production, unlike two years later, in 2020 and 2021, when fruit production was null.  Given the need for more time to obtain conclusive results on this behavior, the lack of farmers’ interest and a permanent team in situ, the research remained in this phase.  It is hypothesized that the cultivation of J. curcas "Doña Fernanda" may be an option for sustainable rural development if adequate climatic conditions remain and there are continuous processes to organize and promote the strengthening of communities.