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The conventional wisdom says that the devolution of Classic Maya civilization occurred because its population grew too large and dense to be supported by primitive neotropical farming methods, resulting in debilitating famines and internecine struggles. Using research on contemporary Maya farming techniques and important new archaeological research, Ford and Nigh refute this Malthusian explanation of events in ancient Central America and posit a radical alternative theory. The authorsshow that ancient Maya farmers developed ingenious, sustainable woodland techniques to cultivate numerous food

"The conventional wisdom says that the devolution of Classic Maya civilization occurred because its population grew too large and dense to be supported by primitive neotropical farming methods, resulting in debilitating famines and internecine struggles. Using research on contemporary Maya farming techniques and important new archaeological research, Ford and Nigh refute this Malthusian explanation of events in ancient Central America and posit a radical alternative theory. The authors show that ancient Maya farmers developed ingenious, sustainable woodland techniques to cultivate numerous food plants (including the staple maize); examine both contemporary tropical farming techniques and the archaeological record (particularly regarding climate) to reach their conclusions; make the argument that these ancient techniques, still in use today, can support significant populations over long periods of time. "--

This case study of the organic farmers' cooperative Indigenas de la Sierra Madre de Motozintla (ISMAM) explores the construction of identity as a dialogic process in which external elements are appropriated to permit resistance and creative adaptation to global processes. Building on indigenous Mam respect for nature, ISMAM forges a corporate image that responds to symbolic demands of the alternative marketplace and a self‐image reaffirming traditional values in a modern context.

En este documento examina la ampliación de las prácticas agroecológicas en el territorio maya achí de Guatemala. Comparamos este caso con otros documentados en la literatura, así como los factores clave o "impulsores" importantes para su escalamiento. Hemos constatado la complejidad de sus factores impulsores y que estos, como los métodos constructivistas de aprendizaje/enseñanza, las políticas públicas favorables y el fuerte tejido social, parecen ser débiles, ausentes o incluso negativos, lo que en parte se debe a la violencia y la represión de los años ochenta, que resultó en el asesinato del 20% de la población dejando el territorio socialmente fragmentado. En este marco, los proyectos que incorporan la agroecología se consideran una estrategia potencial para la recuperación de la comunidad, de modo que son promovidos por asociaciones locales, instituciones y ONG internacionales. Si bien en un principio se planteó que la recuperación social y cultural era la causa principal de la adopción de tales prácticas, nos encontramos con distintos factores adicionales y complejos, entre estos, la expectativa de beneficios económicos y la presencia de organizaciones de ayuda y desarrollo. Analizando estos factores y las barreras contribuimos al debate en curso sobre cómo se pueden ampliar las prácticas agroecológicas, en particular en las regiones que no tienen las condiciones ideales. ; In this paper we examine processes of scaling agroecological practices in the Maya-Achí territory of Guatemala. We compare the Achí case to other examples documented in the literature and the key factors, or "drivers," reported as important if not essential for scaling to occur. We find that the Achí scase is complex with regard to these drivers. Factors such as constructivist learning/teaching methods, favorable public policies, and strong social fabric appear to be weak, absent, or even negative. This is due in part to the violence and repression of the 1980s, which resulted in the assassination of 20 percent of the population by the military and paramilitaries, leaving the territory socially fragmented. Projects incorporating agroecology (revalorization of ancestral practices, seed saving, elimination of external inputs, strengthening soil health, increasing/guarding agrobiodiversity) are viewed as a potential strategy to aid in community recovery, and are promoted by local associations as well as by international institutions and NGOs. While social and cultural recuperation were initially hypothesized as primary causes for the adoption of practices, we encounter a range of additional and complex factors, such as the expectation of economic benefits and the presence of aid and development organizations. By analyzing these drivers and barriers we contribute to the ongoing debate over how agroecological practices may be scaled-out, particularly in regions exhibiting less than ideal conditions.

En este documento examina la ampliación de las prácticas agroecológicas en el territorio maya achí de Guatemala. Comparamos este caso con otros documentados en la literatura, así como los factores clave o "impulsores" importantes para su escalamiento. Hemos constatado la complejidad de sus factores impulsores y que estos, como los métodos constructivistas de aprendizaje/enseñanza, las políticas públicas favorables y el fuerte tejido social, parecen ser débiles, ausentes o incluso negativos, lo que en parte se debe a la violencia y la represión de los años ochenta, que resultó en el asesinato del 20% de la población dejando el territorio socialmente fragmentado. En este marco, los proyectos que incorporan la agroecología se consideran una estrategia potencial para la recuperación de la comunidad, de modo que son promovidos por asociaciones locales, instituciones y ONG internacionales. Si bien en un principio se planteó que la recuperación social y cultural era la causa principal de la adopción de tales prácticas, nos encontramos con distintos factores adicionales y complejos, entre estos, la expectativa de beneficios económicos y la presencia de organizaciones de ayuda y desarrollo. Analizando estos factores y las barreras contribuimos al debate en curso sobre cómo se pueden ampliar las prácticas agroecológicas, en particular en las regiones que no tienen las condiciones ideales. ; In this paper we examine processes of scaling agroecological practices in the Maya-Achí territory of Guatemala. We compare the Achí case to other examples documented in the literature and the key factors, or "drivers," reported as important if not essential for scaling to occur. We find that the Achí scase is complex with regard to these drivers. Factors such as constructivist learning/teaching methods, favorable public policies, and strong social fabric appear to be weak, absent, or even negative. This is due in part to the violence and repression of the 1980s, which resulted in the assassination of 20 percent of the population by the military and paramilitaries, leaving the territory socially fragmented. Projects incorporating agroecology (revalorization of ancestral practices, seed saving, elimination of external inputs, strengthening soil health, increasing/guarding agrobiodiversity) are viewed as a potential strategy to aid in community recovery, and are promoted by local associations as well as by international institutions and NGOs. While social and cultural recuperation were initially hypothesized as primary causes for the adoption of practices, we encounter a range of additional and complex factors, such as the expectation of economic benefits and the presence of aid and development organizations. By analyzing these drivers and barriers we contribute to the ongoing debate over how agroecological practices may be scaled-out, particularly in regions exhibiting less than ideal conditions.