Impact of large irrigation projects on participant ejidatario-farmers over time: The Panuco River Irrigation Project between 1987 and 1995

• Main Author: Valtierra-Pacheco, Esteban
• Format: Dissertation
• Language: English
• Published: ProQuest Dissertations & Theses 01-01-1997
• Subjects: Agricultural economics; Social structure
• ISBN: 9780591744453; 0591744457

This research looks at Mexican large irrigation projects can deliver the intended benefits to poor participant farmers (i.e., ejidatario-farmers). This study focuses on the Panuco River Irrigation Project (PRIP). The research design for is a panel design. The research included a survey conducted in 1995 in which 150 ejidatario-farmers. The results of this survey were compared with a survey conducted among 238 ejidatario-farmers in 1987. These surveys had a common sample of 57 ejidatario-farmers who were interviewed in both years. The null hypothesis for this study is "The PRIP did not meet its initial objectives: (a) to develop an intensive irrigation system, (b) to contribute to national food security, (c) to reduce the uneven income distribution between the rural and urban populations, and (d) to reduce the unemployment among landless peasants." The variables used to test the null hypothesis include perceived efficiency of the irrigation system, amounts of food crops produced by ejidatarios in 1987 and 1995, ejidatarios' income (i.e., annual, on-farm and off-farm incomes), and land rent. The results of this study indicate that the PRIP failed to achieve its initial objectives. The PRIP did not develop an efficient irrigation delivery system. The production of food crops cultivated by ejidatarios experienced a dramatic reduction between 1987 and 1995, except for sugar cane. The ejidatarios' total annual income did not increase significantly. The average ejidatario's income was below the poverty line both in 1987 and 1995. Ejidatarios' on-farm income had a significant reduction between 1987 and 1995. The ejidatarios' farm lost its importance as primary source of income and employment because ejidatarios worked more off-farm in 1995 than in 1987 and many of these ejidatarios rented their land to outsiders in 1995. This study indicates that large scale irrigation projects, like the PRIP, did not always help ejidatarios to overcome poverty. Large scale irrigation projects are not always the best ways to address poverty among the nation's poor or increase the national food security.