Economic and financial viability of the hibiscus flower (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) value chain. Case study: Cooperatives and Union of Producers of La Huacana, Michoacan

摘要

Mexico is the seventh world producer of hibiscus flower; however, it is a net importer of this product. The region known as "Tierra caliente" located in the center-west of the country, presents environmental conditions that limit agriculture; but, the cultivation of hibiscus flower can be practiced without problems. In this region, most of Jamaica's production is organic and is promoted by a Regional Union of Producer Cooperatives. Despite the relevant role of this association and the importance of productive activity in the area, there are no previous studies that have analyzed the financial and economic viability of the cooperatives, as well as the value chain (primary production, collection, packaging and commercialization). The Jamaican value chain and its segments were analyzed in order to determine the financial and economic viability of the cooperatives. The information from three Primary Production Representative Units (URP) was collected using the producer panel technique and for the collection-packaging-commercialization segment through a semi-structured interview conducted with the representatives of the Cooperative and the Union. Costs, income, and financial and economic viability were estimated using the American Association of Agricultural Economics methodology adapted for Mexico. The primary activity of the URPs represented by the cooperatives and the collection-packaging-commercialization segment carried out by the Union are financially and economically viable in the short and medium term. This is due to the fact that the organization grants a competitive advantage to the producers of the region mainly with the coordination of the collection, packaging and commercialization, as well as with the organic certification that allows them to substantially improve the price obtained.