MAIZE AND BEAN STORAGE AND THEIR USE BY RURAL FARMERS IN A CENTRAL STATE OF MEXICO

A study was carried but in the rural areas of the state of Guanajuato in Central Mexico to identify the way in which two different types of farmer store and use their maize and bean production. One of these gro ups of farmers utilizes a communal type of land named ejido, whereas t he others own their property. It was found that the ejido farmers stor e between 1-2 tons of these basic products, to be used for seed (0.1-0 .3 tons), home consumption (<1 ton), and possibly subsequent sale (<1 ton). However, the private property farmers have the option of storing more than the ejido farmers, and although they also cover the above m entioned needs, they usually have a surplus of these commodities for m arket (1-5 tons). The data indicate that both types of farmer (56%) la ck adequate storage facilities, and store their maize and beans in roo ms, which are also used for storing other commodities. The study shows that both types of farmer need information on appropriate technologie s that would assist them in preventing the deterioration of these crop s due to insect and rodent infestation. The interviewed farmers report ed these pests are the main causes of damage to stored maize and beans .