FAO Digital Media Hub - FAO in Mexico: Life after decades of displacement

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FAO in Mexico: Life after decades of displacement

A FAO-supported project rolled out in Oaxacan and Chiapas states, in poor rural areas. The two states have some of the highest rates of migration, with people migrating for work to the US or within Mexico.

As part of the project, farmers learnt how to use compost to improve soil fertility; received training in honey production, raising livestock, and setting up greenhouses. They now also have access to water to irrigate their crops.

Duration 1m55s

Edit Version International

Video Type Video News Release (VNR)

Date 10/06/2017 2:31 PM

File size 341.55 MB

Unique ID UF2T3C

All editorial uses permitted

Production details and shotlist

UNFAO Source FAO Video

Shotlist LOCATIONS: Chiapas state, Mexico

SHOT: July 2017

SOUND: Natural, Spanish

TRT: 1’55”

SOURCE: FAO

ACCESS: ALL

SHOTLIST

1. Paseano Gómez López walking in the field

2. Various Paseano Gómez López removing weeds to prepare the land for farming

3. Wide field

4. Various of chili peppers

5. SOT Paseano Gómez López – returned farmer (Spanish): The situation is very difficult because of the poverty faced here in this country, in Mexico.

6. Various of Paseano Gómez López preparing herbicides

7. SOT Paseano Gómez López – returned farmer (Spanish): That's when you think about migrating to improve your life.

8. Wide of Paseano Gómez López (camera right) walking

9. Wide Paseano Gómez López removing weeds in the field

10. SOT Paseano Gómez López – returned farmer (Spanish): But you feel sad when you are away from home. You feel far away from your family.

11. Various Paseano Gómez López and his sheep

12. SOT Paseano Gómez López – returned farmer (Spanish): Now, I can stay here to take care of my plants because of the support I got. I have everything here, and I can save some money.

13. Various of honey production

ENDS

Script STORYLINE:

Chiapas state in Mexico has some of the highest migration rates in the country, with people relocating to cities within Mexico or the US in search of a better life.

Paseano Gómez López is a farmer from Nuevo Sonora, Chiapas state, Mexico who returned home and needed support to be able to stay.

He grows corn and chilli peppers.

But to cultivate their fields, farmers need money to buy supplies.

Often they are forced to take a loan, with a 10-20% interest. Sometimes, the yields don’t cover the costs and farmers get in debt. They are also battling with poor soil and high altitudes; it’s difficult to grow crops.

“That's when you think about migrating - to improve your life, to send your children to school,” explains Paseano. “The situation is very difficult because of the poverty that it’s here in this country.”

And this is why Paseano decided to leave. He went to Virginia and Florida where he worked for 10 months – picking tomatoes, grapes.

“There is sadness when you are away. You feel far away from your family. I worried about my family – about my wife, my children. You keep wondering how they are doing. I got paid USD 500 per week. About USD 350-400 I would send at home. I could only keep about USD120-130 per week to cover my own costs,” he says.

After he returned, Paseano became involved in a FAO-supported project. The aim of the project is simple: make farmers’ lives better. Help them find ways to sustain themselves from agriculture and off-farming opportunities.

“Now, I can stay here to take care of my plants because of the support I got. I have everything here, and I can save some money.”

Apart from support to grow better crops, Paseano’s family also received chickens and sheep.

“My wife is looking after the chickens. We no longer need to buy chickens or eggs. Sometimes, we can also sell the eggs. We also have sheep, for us to eat, and for sale. Our life has changed. I no longer have to take money on loan. Now I have my own resources. My son finished high school. He is now studying at the university,” he concludes.

The FAO-supported project was rolled out in Oaxacan and Chiapas states, in poor rural areas. The two states have some of the highest rates of migration, with people migrating for work to the US or within Mexico.

As part of the project, farmers learnt how to use compost to improve soil fertility; received training in honey production, raising livestock, and setting up greenhouses. They now also have access to water to irrigate their crops.

The project was made possible thanks to the support of the Mexican Government, through the Ministry of Agriculture.

ENDS

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