Who are the small producers who are successful? Two cases of territories in Peru linked to world markets.
Mesclier É., Chaléard J. L.
Debate Agrario (Lima) : 89-104
Abstract : An attempt is made to respond to the question of how small farmers can be linked to international markets and whether this permits them to consolidate their economy. The question is answered from the viewpoint of two case studies from different areas in the region of Chiclayo, in the western foothills of the Andean Cordillera, in northern Peru. The first is Motupe, where a large number of agricultural properties were established for two indigenous communities following the agrarian reform of 1969; at the time of the 1994 census, these ranged in size from less than 2 ha (130), 2 to 5 ha (528), 5 to 10 ha (528), 10 to 20 ha (310), 20 to 50 ha (91), to 50 to 200 ha (25); the major part of these communal lands are not irrigated, and the main product that is internationally marketed is mango. The second is the territory of La Florida, originated with the migration of the grandparents of the current owners, and was also subject to agrarian reform, and became a cooperative, with individual agricultural properties (in 1994) ranging in size from less than 2 ha (292), 2 to 5 ha (307), 5 to 10 ha (86), 10 to 20 ha (33), 20 to 50 ha (9), to 50 to 200 ha (3); part of the properties are irrigated, and part dry farmed, and the main product that is internationally marketed is coffee. The strengths and weaknesses of the two systems are described and discussed; the La Florida system is the stronger.