El maíz: la persistencia de una cultura en México

In Mexico, maize identifies a large part of the country which witnessed its birth. It is at the heart of its traditions, of its way of life, of its popular culture. In spite of its economic, social and cultural importance, different governments have preferred to favorise the importation of less expensive foreign grain, which today represents nearly a quarter of national consumption. Yet, despite unattractive prices, millions of peasants preserve the culture of local maize varieties, which permits them to maintain the quality of their produce, as well as the equilibrium of the ecosystems in which they live and produce. They have partially responded to falling prices by the diminution of the costs of production thanks to an extension of the cultivation area and a diminution in investments. The market justifies them, to the extent that the grain they produce is of great quality and is therefore particularly sought after by consumers