Governance of African Palm Production and Lifeways of Palm Producers in Two Municipalities of the Chiapas Jungle

Abstract

This chapter analyzes the relationship between lifeways of family or domestic units and the governance of African palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq) production in the municipalities of Zamora Pico de Oro Marqués de Comillas and Benemérito de las Américas, Chiapas, Mexico. Our study uses an approach in which the domestic units are viewed from the perspective of socio-environmental studies. The information was obtained via (i) discussion workshops and participative workshops with focus groups, and (ii) interviews with public officials; business managers; key social actors in the communities; and directors of Local Action Groups (LAGs). Our results show that due to the differences in capacities and capital that produce power asymmetries, in the governance of the African palm production system in Zamora and Benemérito, coordination and control are determined principally by the government/business group and the group of LAGs. The domestic unit’s participation is marginal. The way in which governance is exercised enables the oil-extraction business to impose its rules upon the process of coordination among the different groups. Thus, the implementation of the palm production system’s norms and rules affects incomes of domestic units directly. Nevertheless, production of African palm is the principal source of income for the domestic units. From their subjectivity, these groups perceive the governance as benefitting business at their expense. Therefore, they perceive that in the future, the exercise of governance must prioritize respect and the values needed for honest behavior among the system’s actors, at the same time that the income generated by palm production enables producers to cover the costs of non-material needs like health and education.