Sustainable backyard livestock in a rural community in Ahuacatlán, Puebla

Abstract

Backyard livestock farming, practiced by indigenous communities in Mexico, plays a vital role in food security and the subsistence of rural families. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of backyard livestock production on the food security and economy of indigenous and peasant families, focusing on self-consumption, food self-sufficiency, and the use of local resources. Data were collected through 50 surveys conducted in San Jerónimo Coaltepec, using a mixed-methods approach with three phases. Results showed that 50% of respondents spoke Náhuatl or Totonac. Each surveyed family owned at least ten animal species (poultry, sheep, pigs, and cattle), mainly fed with annual crops and household waste. Backyard livestock farming primarily contributed to self consumption and occasionally to commercialization. Although not economically profitable, its contributions to food security and resource preservation make it a sustainable option for rural and indigenous families. Despite economic precariousness, it remains a fundamental food source for subsistence.