Resumen

CHALATE-MOLINA, Héctor et al. Characteristics of the dual purpose cattle production system in Morelos, Mexico. Zootecnia Trop. [online]. 2010, vol.28, n.3, pp.329-339. ISSN 0798-7269.

The objective of the present study was to characterize the dual-purpose (DP) cattle system in the State of Morelos, Mexico, according to the scale of production, use of family work force, income, differences in cattle management, use of technology, and farmers’ perception on the strengths, opportunities, weaknesses and threats of the DP system. A total of 165 producers were included in the study. A structured questionnaire was applied to the producers and a SWOT strategic planning workshop. Data were analyzed through a multivariate cluster analysis (dendrogram and k-means). Five types of DP cattle systems were identified in the state of Morelos, which were as follows: 1) business activity (E, 7%), 2) livestock transition (TP, 18%), 3) family agricultural (FA, 19%), 4) family livestock (FP, 21%), and 5) subsistence livestock (SP, 35%). In general, the producers are characterized by an old age and low educational level; the main management system used is semi-drylot, with small areas and herds, so they get their income from both intra and extra farm activities. Producers E and TP have a higher income, a larger land surface, and more hired work force, infrastructure, equipment and use of technology, compared to producers FA, FP and SP. In conclusion, there are five types of DP cattle systems in the State of Morelos, all of them with productive and technological differences that must be considered on the execution of developmental plans for the livestock sector

Palabras clave : dual purpose cattle; FODA; Morelos.