Economic Analysis of Nopal Production and Marketing in Teotihuacan Valley

Abstract

This research relates on the analysis of the economic conditions in the production and marketing of prickly pear cactus (nopal) at the region of the Centro Universitario UAEM Valle de Teotihuacán. It was developed by a multidisciplinary researcher group in the areas of economics, administration, accounting and information technology, and includes seven municipalities of the Estado de México: Acolman, Axapusco, Nopaltepec, Otumba, San Martín de las Pirámides, Temascalapa and Teotihuacán, where agricultural activity is one of the most important of the region. In this study the following conditions were estimated: labor conditions, production process, marketing methods, cost-benefit ratio and valuation of the hectares cultivated against the harvested obtained. As part of the results, it was established that the labor conditions of the region are precarious. Occasionally, producers prefer to leave the product on the plantations because of the lower prices offered by the buyers. Also, the nopal tunero is being replaced by the nopal vegetable, which offers greater possibilities of economic performance. On the other hand, plagues often affect the plantations derivatives and have an influence on the disinterest of the producers to invest or suggest new alternatives that can lead to better conditions of production, marketing, utilities and distribution services. As one of the most important economic activities that impact on the growing and development conditions of the region, it is very important to generate conditions to enhance production and distribution to new markets that allow nopal producers and the population to improve their standard of living level. So, this study determines the nutritional importance of these products for their preservation of this type of typical food with highly nutritional values. Additionally, it was identified that in the region of the Teotihuacan Valley there are three marketing associations of prickly pear cactus, prickly pear tunas and xoconostle that bring together a significant number of producers, which have built large cultivated hectares with government support in order to concentrate and market the product. Finally, the Centro Universitario UAEM Valle de Teotihuacán has a social commitment to association with the producers in the region to generate proposals to provide solutions to the various problems that were identified.