Maize and Poverty: Study in Oaxaca and Chiapas

Abstract

In Mexico the maize production is quite important since it is the basis of food and livelihood for millions of inhabitants in rural and urban areas. Following 2006, the world price of grain began to rise, highlighting the maize price after the U.S. promotion for ethanol production. The rise in the maize’s price in Mexico has generated negative effects on both households’ types: rural and urban households. Where the cereal is a household’s key component into the diet or basket food. In the literature there is little empirical evidence on the relationship between poverty and maize consumption, this study aims to address this relationship and therefore have a reliable idea of the potential effects on the rising maize’s price and visualize the possible scenarios to produce ethanol from maize basis.