Analysis of the Amaranth Productive System Temoac, Morelos, Mexico

A characterization of amaranth productive process was carried out in Temoac, Morelos; in order to understand why this crop has decreased. A survey of 64 producers (May-September 2013) was used. The production unit is 2.7 hectares in average; so they are smallholders; 92% of peasants are growing in communal landholdings. They have no credit nor agricultural insurance. The production is seasonal, with 1.5 tons per hectare; 47% of peasants downsized the amaranth planting surface. There is a development of household economy by using family labor. The costs per hectare are an important category of manual labor costs (49%). Only 15% of peasants have tractors. Low productivity and mechanization are the main factors that are causing the reduction of production.