Concurrence of Sagarpa and Conafor Programs in a Rural Community: The Case of Santiago Ihuitlán Plumas, Oaxaca

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the concurrence of the Proagro and Progan programs of the Secretariat of Agriculture, Livestock, Rural Development, Fisheries and Food (Sagarpa) and Pronafor of the National Forestry Commission (Conafor) in the community of Santiago Ihuitlán Plumas, Oaxaca. The methodology included a socioeconomic survey applied to the program’s beneficiaries, semi-structured interviews with qualified informants and a participatory workshop. The main findings show that there is no concurrence between Sagarpa and Conafor programs since the two institutions have their own management and operation processes that do not take community needs into account and create conflicts between individual and communal interests. Although producers receive cash resources from Proagro and Progan, this does not translate into an improvement in productivity or in families’ wellbeing. Pronafor has had a limited impact on welfare yet it has helped restore part of the community forest.