Farm Survey in Jalapa, Jicaro and Quilali

Abstract

This chapter examines the impact of state intervention in agricultural markets at the micro-level, using data from a farm survey in the northeastern zones of Region I of Nicaragua held in February-March 1989. For three reasons this region and the zones involved are of interest in the Nicaraguan context. Firstly, it has all the characteristics of a typical peasant region, with mainly basic grains and export crops such as coffee and tobacco (often in combination with cattle-breeding). Secondly, the region, and particularly the zones of Jalapa and Quilalf are good examples of the mainstream thinking behind the agricultural development strategy ofthe Sandinista government which combined socioeconomic with strategic-military objectives. This broad strategy was based on state-centred accumulation, including a bias towards capitalintensive production and agro-industrial development. From as early as 1982, large Integrated Rural Development Projects in Jalapa and Quilalf brought important technological transfer and substantial infrastructural investments. Jicaro did not benefit from this transfer, and the zone remains known for its geographic isolation, the lack of allseason roads, a long tradition as an extensive cattle-breeding zone and a corresponding low level of social organization of the peasantry.