Citriculturization as a process of erosion, loss of identity, and transformations to the biocultural heritage of the municipality of Oxkutzcab, Mexico

Abstract

Since the beginning of humanity, important transformations have occurred in the production system, the distribution of resources and social structures, this has had a direct impact on the quality of life of people over time, from early agricultural societies to the contemporary era of globalization. In this article, through a documentary review, the economic and political evolution in the rural development of the municipality of Oxkutzcab, highlighting the historical importance of the countryside for the indigenous community of that region and its transformation under capitalism. This with the objective of analyzing the citriculturization process of the municipality that led to the transition from a rural production system as a method of subsistence, to an extractive agricultural production system to satisfy the needs of the national and global market. Citriculture, as the main source of employment in the municipality, has an economic, social and political impact, which contributes significantly to the development of the local economy and improvement of the quality of life of families, by providing relatively stable income for access to basic services such as education, health and housing. Finally, it is concluded that citrus farming in Oxkutzcab is one more example of the capacity of indigenous communities to adapt and reinvent themselves in the face of the transformations that emerge in their contemporaneity.