Agriculture and Core Foods

Author: Mary Prescott

Agriculture in Mexico

Much of Mexico’s food customs stem from the agricultural practices that are engraved in Mexican culture. Although agriculture only accounts for five percent of Mexico’s GDP, it employs twenty three percent of the population. Mexico is one of the top producers of crops in the world, which make up fifty percent of its total agricultural output. The most important domestic crops, which are grown for consumption, are wheat, beans, corn, and sorghum. The main exported crops, which generate the most money for Mexico’s economy, include sugar, coffee, fruits, and vegetables. Livestock, on the other hand, makes up thirty percent of Mexico’s total agricultural output. The most popular livestock/livestock products produced are milk, eggs, chicken, and beef.

WHY HAS AGRICULTURE BECOME SUCH A LARGE PRESENCE IN A TRADITIONAL MEXICAN LIFE?

  1. 1. The large amount of available farming land, which was further increased by government irrigation programs in the 40s.
  2. 2. President Salinas’ amendment to the constitution, which allowed native Mexicans to lease the land that was distributed to them by the government in 1912. This formed larger, more efficient farms.
  3. 3. The Procampo Program of 1994, which paid farmers directly to grow the less profitable crops, like corn and beans.

Regions

Picture
The foods of different regions in Mexico. From Google Images.
Northern Mexico is mainly desert, meaning livestock makes up most of this region’s agriculture and “cowboy culture” is the norm. The fishing industry dominates the coastal regions, meaning seafood and tropical fruits are the main export from this area. The Bajío is a large agricultural region that runs down the center of Mexico. Indigenous Mexican people live in this region and grow traditional crops like corn, beans, peppers, fruits, and vegetables.

Core Foods and Meals

Core foods of this diet include:
 rice
corn
beans
peppers
chilies
fruits
vegetables
milk
cheese
beef
pork
chicken
These are the ingredients of many common traditional meals, like tamales. A tamale is a dish of seasoned meats wrapped in cornmeal dough and steamed in corn husks. It contains other core foods like peppers and cheese and is often served with rice and beans. Corn tortillas are another common food, often eaten with tacos. These sorts of meals would regularly be eaten with family and friends at lunch time, which is the largest meal of the day. During this time, work stops and friends and family gather. Dinner, on the other hand, is a much smaller meal.
From Google images.
Melissa Barth studied the core foods in the diet of a group of individuals living in Veracruz, Mexico.
Click here to learn more.

References

Melissa Barth. “A Nutrition Assessment of Dietary Practices of Mexicans Living in the State of Veracruz, Mexico.” UW-L Journal of Undergraduate Research XI (2008): 1-3. Web.

 "Mexico - Agriculture." Nationsencyclopedia. Nation's Encyclopedia. Web. 24 July 2015. 

Simpson, Mary. "The Geography of Mexico and Its Effect on Culture and Food." EHow. Demand Media, 27 Dec. 2010. Web. 23 July 2015.

Picture Sources