Gender relations as a basis for varietal selection in production spaces in Yucatán, México

Abstract

This masters thesis studies gendered relations and their effect on decision making practices regarding in situ conservation in the Yucatan peninsula in Mexico. Varietal selection for in situ conservation is found to be contingent on a number of factors, including: environmental and ecoological factors, gendered decision making in spaces of production (women's homegardens versus men's fields), and gendered preferences in decision making for household consumption and local marketing of agricultural products. Specifically, the research examines varietal selection for maize and squash in "traditional" men and women production spaces and the emergent "community plot".