TY - JOUR PY - 2001// TI - Paying for survival with health: Potato production practices, pesticide use and gender concerns in the Ecuadorian highlands JO - Journal of agricultural education and extension A1 - Mera-Orcés, Verónica SP - 31 EP - 31 VL - 8 IS - 1 N2 - The modernisation of potato production in the Ecuadorian highlands is related to an intensive use of pesticides. In this context, by means of ethnographic methodologies and discourse analysis tools, this study was aimed to determine the influence of household arrangements, local institutions and social differentiation in the management of potato production and pesticide use. Potato production involves all household members and generates occupational risks, but also household-level accidents. This study has determined that children and teenagers form the group most vulnerable to intoxication with pesticides. Four social dimensions that integrate pesticides in the local social dynamics were determined: health-beliefs, gender identity, social identity, and economical progress reliance by means of potato production. Intense potato production and comoditisation of nature is contributing to a progressive social stratification, which is causing a group of peasant households to emerge as the poorest group and vulnerable to occupational risks by chronic pesticide exposure.

LA - SN - 1389-224X UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13892240185300061 ID - ref1 ER -