The Life of a Campesino

    


    Although Mexico is one of the world's leading producers of corn, central Mexico is a rough and ever-changing location to grow corn. Three of four corn farmers in Mexico live in either Puebla or Oaxaca. Both considered central Mexico where the climate is relentless with sporadic rainfall, unpredictable temperatures, pests and diseases, and intense heat (Gonzales, 2023). Here in these conditions where many poverty-stricken workers uphold the success of agriculture, there are not enough resources to purchase expensive machinery so the land depends on manual labor to be worked; The conditions are harsh and the labor is long.

Dia al Dia

    Each day these day workers and campesinos (small farmers) work the land sowing, irrigating, treating the plants against damage, harvesting, handling, and transportation of the crops. These farmhands work consistently through the various stages of agriculture and play a vital role in each phase. Because so much of the land is owned by small farmers or leased many do not have the capability to buy machines to do the work, rough calloused hands and strong backs are the tools of choice for these workers (Bower).

Training and Requirements

    More than 75% of the workers at these farms have no secondary education (Gonzales, 2023). Many get their training on the job and many start at a young age working in the fields (Mega, 2018). Although the campesinos do not necessarily have to have a high level of education they do need to have a strong work ethic and be able to bear high demands on the body. 

Compensation

    Mexico's economy hinges on the success of the agriculture sector and owes much of its prosperity to the distribution of Maiz. Even though this is true the average farmer makes only 10,600 MXN per month which translates to about $530 USD annually 127,200 MXN or $6,360 (Farmers Average Salary). This is a difficult wage to live on, especially when providing for a family. This is one of the reasons many young kids end up working in the fields with their parents to make ends meet. 

    The overarching traits of campesinos in Mexico are determination and adaptation. Despite the difficulties stacked against their success in farming maiz they find a way. Exposure to the hot sun and the dreadful rainstorms, dry spells and dusty soil, with no help from modern machinery and having to rely solely on working hands they still find a way to be one of the world's leading producers of Maiz. 


Bower, A., Prieto, J., & Kim, S. (n.d.). Traditional vs. Industrial Agricultural Production of Maize in Mexico. Traditional vs. industrial agricultural production of maize in Mexico. Retrieved March 19, 2023, from https://kb.wisc.edu/dairynutrient/375fsc/page.php?id=48430

Farmer average salary in Mexico 2023. The Complete Guide. (n.d.). Retrieved March 19, 2023, from http://www.salaryexplorer.com/salary-survey.php?loc=139&loctype=1&job=422&jobtype=3#:~:text=A%20person%20working%20as%20a%20Farmer%20in%20Mexico,monthly%20salary%20including%20housing%2C%20transport%2C%20and%20other%20benefits.

Gonzales, H. (n.d.). Farming in Mexico: A way of life that has been passed down from ... Retrieved March 19, 2023, from https://www.tourbymexico.com/farming-in-mexico-a-way-of-life-that-has-been-passed-down-from-generation-to-generation/

Mega, E. R. (2018, November 19). Small farmers in Mexico keep corn's genetic diversity alive. Scientific American. Retrieved March 19, 2023, from https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/small-farmers-in-mexico-keep-corns-genetic-diversity-alive/

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