ANÃLISIS DE LA APLICACIÓN DEL ENFOQUE PARTICIPATIVO DE TRES INSTITUCIONES EN UN MARCO DE SUSTENTABILIDAD

The abandonment of projects is one of the problems faced by institutions involved in promoting rural Mexico, however, there have been experiences that have encouraged their retention. One factor that enables their success, is the participatory approach (EP). Hence the importance of reviewing how institutions can incorporate this approach into their practices. We analyzed the progress of the EP in two institutions (UNCADER and INIFAP) and a nongovernmental organization (UGOCP), considering the philosophical and policy factors, as well as the methodological and operational ones. The research was approached as case study from a qualitative and quantitative point of view. Both the institution and its promoter were considered for the research, which involved semi-structured interviews, participants observation and document review. For UNCADER and INIFAP participation represents a methodological tool that improves the efficiency of institutional planning, whereas for UGOCP is a civil right that allows processes of organization mobilization. For UNCADER, participation has been symbolic, therefore real participatory aproech represents a challenge to the organization´s culture. In INIFAP, the birth of a project is a critical point that needs to be strengthened to implement participatory methodologies. Finally, the participatory mechanisms used by UGOCP involve authentic participatio

NITROGEN MANAGEMENT IN SUGARCANE AND ITS INFLUENCE ON YIELD, PROFITABILITY AND LEACHING LOSSES

The excessive use of nitrogen (N) in sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) is a source of contamination for aquifers. The objective was to evaluate sugarcane yield, as well as profitability and amount of N leached resulting from the application of different split N doses. Three N doses (250, 200 and 150 kg ha-1) and three different application numbers (2, 3 and 4) were evaluated using a factorial design in randomized blocks. When the N dose was divided in three and four applications yields higher than 125 ton ha-1 were obtained. The greatest benefit-cost-ratio (1.8) resulted from using 150 kg ha-1 of N divided in three applications. The lowest N losses due to leaching were obtained using 150 kg ha-1 of N divided in three (16.8 kg ha-1) and four (15.4 kg ha-1) applications. Low N doses divided in three or four applications did not reduce sugarcane production; furthermore, it was more profitable and had a lower environmental impact by reducing N leaching

PRESENCE OF NITRATES AND NITRITES IN WATER FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION AND THEIR IMPACT ON PUBLIC HEALTH IN SUGARCANE-PRODUCING AREAS

Water pollution has emerged as a consequence of human settlements, as well as from specific rural, agricultural, forestry and industrial activities within a region. It has been found that increasing use of nitrogen fertilizers also increases water pollution. Nitrates and nitrites that are dissolved in groundwater used for human consumption cause adverse health effects, such as production of nitrosamines (cause of cancer) and decrease of oxygen carrying capacity of the blood, known as blue baby syndrome. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between the concentration of dissolved nitrates and nitrites in drinking water, and the incidence of esophagus and stomach cancer in the population living close to agricultural areas. The maximum concentration of nitrates (NO3-) in water for human consumption was 7.5 mg L-1. A total of 45 cases of esophagus and stomach cancer were identified, distributed in six agricultural municipalities studied. A weak correlation (r = 0.46, p < 0.05) was found between the factor of rational use of nitrogen in sugarcane cultivation and the number of cancer cases recorded in the area of study