Assessment of the multifunctionality index in urban and peri-urban agriculture in San Miguel Tocuila, Texcoco

Abstract

Agriculture in Mexico faces major challenges due to urban growth, the loss of agricultural land, and pressure on natural resources, primarily affecting areas undergoing rural-urban transition. In this context, the research analyzed the multifunctionality of urban and peri-urban agriculture (UPA) in Tocuila, Texcoco. The objective was to assess the functions and services generated by agricultural activity in its productive dimension, highlighting the social, economic, territorial, and environmental components. The methodology involved applying the Multifunctionality Index of Agricultural Production Systems (IMSPA, by its Spanish acronym) to evaluate 50 agricultural systems through surveys, focused on key indicators. These indicators were rigorously weighted using the Delphi method, incorporating the participation of experts and ejido members. This process allowed for the comparison of specialized criteria with local knowledge, which helped improve the methodological consistency of the indicators and their relevance to the analyzed territorial context. The results revealed a classification of three categories of multifunctionality. Fifty percent of the systems were classified at Level IV, corresponding to upper-middle multifunctionality; 48 % were classified at Level III, indicating intermediate multifunctionality; and only 2 % reached level V, associated with high multifunctionality. These results indicate that most agricultural systems exhibit an intermediate level of multifunctionality, with significant but still limited capacities to generate simultaneous benefits across the productive, environmental, and social dimensions.