Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to consider the challenges facing small rural businesses in Mexico in their efforts to be enterprising and sustainable when confronted with severe exogenous pressures. Extant literature on farm diversification has a developed economy focus (Pyysiäinen et al., 2006; McElwee, 2008; McElwee and Smith, 2013), but relatively little has been published in developing economies.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper considers diversification activities of Mexican farmers. It uses case studies, workshops and interviews to determine the barriers facing farmers and farm advisors.
Findings
Farm businesses, particularly those located in drought-prone regions, have benefited from government-sponsored support, but this support needs to now be targeted to develop the entrepreneurial potential of individuals and collectives.
Research limitations/implications
Carried out in one region of Mexico only, and thus, the findings may not be transferable to other regions.
Practical implications
Recruitment of well-qualified, honest farm advisors with entrepreneurial skills is necessary. Farmers need to be given additional training and support to develop both technological and entrepreneurial skills.
Social implications
Encouraging and supporting rural enterprises in Mexico helps to provide opportunities for regions to be economically and socially sustainable.
Originality/value
A first attempt to look at farmers ' diversification strategies using an entrepreneurial framework.
This paper aims to consider the challenges facing small rural businesses in Mexico in their efforts to be enterprising and sustainable when confronted with severe exogenous pressures. Extant literature on farm diversification has a developed economy focus (Pyysiäinen et al., 2006; McElwee, 2008; McElwee and Smith, 2013), but relatively little has been published in developing economies.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper considers diversification activities of Mexican farmers. It uses case studies, workshops and interviews to determine the barriers facing farmers and farm advisors.
Findings
Farm businesses, particularly those located in drought-prone regions, have benefited from government-sponsored support, but this support needs to now be targeted to develop the entrepreneurial potential of individuals and collectives.
Research limitations/implications
Carried out in one region of Mexico only, and thus, the findings may not be transferable to other regions.
Practical implications
Recruitment of well-qualified, honest farm advisors with entrepreneurial skills is necessary. Farmers need to be given additional training and support to develop both technological and entrepreneurial skills.
Social implications
Encouraging and supporting rural enterprises in Mexico helps to provide opportunities for regions to be economically and socially sustainable.
Originality/value
A first attempt to look at farmers ' diversification strategies using an entrepreneurial framework.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 327-343 |
| Number of pages | 17 |
| Journal | Journal of Enterprising Communities: People and Places in the Global Economy |
| Volume | 9 |
| Issue number | 4 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 12 Oct 2015 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Farm diversification
- Farm entrepreneurship
- Mexican farmers
- Rural Mexico