Market studies in the amaranth producing areas in Valles Altos

Abstract

The objective of this research was to conduct a market study in the growing areas of amaranth in Valles Altos (Highlands). Semistructured interview was designed, which consists of closed and open questions; the interview was divided into an overview of the producer, the destination, use of production costs, profit and income. In Highlands 89 producers were interviewed for grain amaranth, located in 26 communities in 13 municipalities and delegations from the major producing regions of the seed of the states of Puebla (Cohuacan, Tochimilco Tecamachalco, Atlixco Caltepec), Mexico (Amecameca and San Juan Teotihuacan), Tlaxcala (Nativitas), Morelos (Temoac) and Federal District, in the Xochimilco, Milpa Alta and Tlahuac Delegations. The study was 2009 to 2010, visited the crops in the plots of some producers, where amaranth was observed in the drying stage of the panicle for which is cut and lying on the ground for later threshing. In other cases, not yet cut the amaranth and other had been beaten. Interviews were also conducted at the Fair of Joy and Olive, Tulyehualco, in Xochimilco, Mexico City, in the warehouses and homes of the producers.