Acting in complexity

Abstract

This article analyzes how productive public policies have impacted the transformation of habits and values of the farmer population in the last 13 years (2008-2021). This study is based on qualitative data from a case study of Tseltal families from the Sibactel and El Pach communities, in the Tenejapa municipality, and the Chilolja community in San Juan Cancuc, Chiapas. The results show that public policies depend on the interdependence of different actors, who face a number of obstacles such as corruption, conflicts of interests, individualism, political opportunist, and the abuse of power. This situation caused an increase in asymmetries in socio-cultural values, farmer’s economy, and productive skills. An option to address this situation is to create specific public policy programs for family farmers with an agro-ecological approach. In conclusion, public policy programs and social reproduction strategies for family farmers are two important categories for the continuity of farmer production, since they encourage different ways of thinking, acting, and organizing within the farmer’s community.