Paper short abstract:

Our ethnographic study with Totonac vanilla growers from northern Veracruz on their perceptions of climate change is discussed. Some strengths and challenges for economic and food sovereignty were identified in the vanilla agroecological system through a collaborative research approach.

Paper long abstract:

Vanilla is a highly appreciated and economically important orchid consumed for the aromatic properties that derive from its flavoring pods. Within the global market, Mexico ranks as the fifth largest producer; however, there is more to the impact of this crop in local economies. For Mexican growers, especially Totonac communities in the northern region of Veracruz’ state, vanilla plantations still hold a strong biocultural value due to a pre-Hispanic history of use. Around 4000 families grow vanilla as a sacred component within a larger agroecosystem that provides sources of food, medicine, wood for houses, and others. Theft has been a recurrent issue at least over the past three centuries, but other important obstacles arise. A largest threat is the climate emergency that has become evident over the recent years, meaning that vanilla plantations along with vanilla growers’ traditional ecological knowledge and food security elements are on the verge to disappear. It is predicted that extreme climate fluctuations will continue to affect production and damage mestizo and indigenous families’ livelihoods. Our ethnographic study with vanilla producers from northern Veracruz on their perceptions of climate change is discussed. The objective is to identify the strengths and challenges for economic and food sovereignty in the vanilla agroecological system through a collaborative research approach. Our findings highlight the need to develop interdisciplinary research with these characteristics, if the purpose is to provide information that is meaningful for local families and relevant for agricultural policies in this realm.