Production viability and farmers’ willingness to adopt Jatropha curcas L. as a biofuel source in traditional agroecosystems in Totonacapan, Mexico

This paper gives an overview on the traditional Jatropha curcas L. (physic nut) production practices as a multipurpose vegetable resource in the Totonacapan, Mexico, and the social acceptability of changes involved both in its agronomic management and use, promotion by the Mexican Energy Ministry through a special program, which, in the case for J. curcas L., includes, exclusively, toxic genotypes. In this region, there is important infra-specific genetic diversity for non-toxic genotypes, which have been used by the local indigenous population for centuries, mainly for human consumption (roasted seeds). In contrast with other studies about the industrial-scale productivity of physic nut as a monoculture for biodiesel yield, this research assessed the several functions of this species within local, traditional agroecosystems and as part of the family’s diet. In order to evaluate the pertinence of its diffusion in relation with the Totonac economy, the feasibility of implementing the official program was critically assessed, by using a binary logistic mathematical model for the “farmers’ willingness to adopt it. The results show the following barriers to agricultural adoption: (1) a low financial capacity of farmers; (2) the current price instability of J. curcas seeds; (3) the Totonac familys’ need to cultivate all the plant species involved in their agroecosystems for economic and cultural reasons. Nevertheless, J. curcas remains as a very important plant resource for the local people, with several important contributions to farmers’ livelihoods, and multiple roles (economic, ecological and cultural) that add resilience to the Totonac’s traditional agroecosystems. The monoculture of J. curcas established only for biodiesel production in different regions of Mexico, has not led to a significant increase in the income of local farmers, because government policies have been ineffective in recognizing the several functions of this species in the local agroecosystems from the peasant’ perspective. This critical situation could be repeated in the Totonacapan, negatively affecting, not only the local non-toxic genotypes, but also this ancestral culture and consequently the Totonac’s economy.