Agroecological management of spontaneous vegetation in Bachajon's Tseltal Maya milpa: a preventive focus

In recent years, a great deal of evidence has accumulated on the health risks and environmental impacts of some herbicides. Both conventional agriculture and agroecology are searching for alternatives to address the challenges posed by the consequences of herbicide use. In this search, peasant and indigenous agroecosystems have much to contribute since their crops evolved thousands of years ago together with diverse communities of weeds, and farmers have carried out sophisticated strategies to manage them. Through participant observation, semi-structured interviews, free lists, and botanical collection, we document a milpa design that integrates and manages spontaneous vegetation to take advantage of its presence and minimize risks of crop loss. The objective of this article is to critically contrast agroecological mechanisms in this milpa design which matches the prevention principle with a set of recommendations recognized as preventive in conventional weed science.

Automated summary

In recent years, there has been a growing body of evidence highlighting the health risks and environmental impacts associated with certain herbicides. Both conventional agriculture and agroecology are actively seeking alternatives to mitigate the challenges resulting from herbicide usage. Peasant and indigenous agroecosystems have valuable insights to offer, as their crops have co-evolved with diverse weed communities for thousands of years, and farmers have developed sophisticated strategies to manage them. Through various research methods, such as participant observation and interviews, we have documented a milpa design that integrates and manages spontaneous vegetation to take advantage of its presence and minimize crop loss risks. This article critically compares the agroecological mechanisms in this milpa design, which align with the prevention principle, with a set of preventive recommendations recognized in conventional weed science.