Non-English title

In the Chiapas Highlands, Mexico, a transversal and comparative study of three production systems (maize, flowers and vegetables) was carried out in order to describe the magnitude and characteristics of the agrochemicals used and to identify the socioeconomic and technological factors influencing the use of such products. To this end, 565 surveys were applied to make a detailed inquiry of sociodemographic information and describe their production systems. An intensive and inappropriate use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides was identified in the three production systems. Generally, flower and vegetable producers used insecticides that fall in Toxicological Category (TC) I and II, and fungicides that correspond to TC IV. Maize producers frequently use herbicides TC II, III and IV and insecticides TC I. The factors that explain the use of pesticides are related to the production system, the agricultural area, the frequency and crop cycles per year, the diversity of problems and availability of funds. The monetary resources coming from governmental programs are used for the purchase of pesticides in the three systems. It is necessary that the different social actors involved in the rural sector develop comprehensive integral strategies of action to promote the conversion of these conventional systems into low-input systems ones, with the tendency agricultural practices are environmentally friendly.