Smallholder farming plays a central role for the livelihood security of rural families in most
low- to middle income countries. Beyond that it contributes to sustain important ecological
functions and services. Yet world-wide increasing economic pressure threatens its viability
while young and capable labour force is attracted away to urban centres. In the Mexican state
of Yucatán - where foremost indigenous Mayan people are practicing traditional farming under
adverse natural conditions using a broad variety of agro-biodiversity - these predominant
trends can be observed like in a burning lens. Farming is more and more just performed for
subsistence while cash for daily expenses is obtained from other sources. Aware of the sector's
benefits for society Mexican policy makers recently put its services regarding food and
livelihood security agro-biodiversity and maintenance of cultural heritage high on the
agenda. Starting from that baseline research teams affiliated to the University of Kassel and
the Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán (UADY) conducted several interrelated research projects.
All investigations are grounded in field work including intensive interviews among local
people and experts. The results are assembled in this volume.
