Una alternativa de financiamiento para el sector rural: El caso de la Union de Credito Mixta "Plan Puebla"
Description
The implementation of neo-liberal policies in Mexico during the administrations of Miguel de la Madrid (1982-1988) and Carlos Salinas de Gortari (1988-1994) severely impacted the rural sector, especially areas of rainfed agriculture. In the framework of these policies, the institutional services provided by key state institutions in terms of technical assistance, crop insurance and agricultural credit was significantly diminished In light of such situation, farmers (especially low-resource farmers) were faced with great difficulties to carry out their agricultural activities. Their situation called for definition and implementation of new alternatives to provide the necessary means to return services to the countryside One of these alternatives was the foment of local organizations to provide credit services, mainly in the form of credit unions. This type of financial institution grew despite the obstacles created by certain public institutions (i.e. The National Bank and Stocks Commission-CNBV) which continuously increased the capital base legally needed to constitute a credit union One credit union that was created in the midst of this process in 1992 was the Union de Credito Mixta 'Plan Puebla-UCMPP.' The UCMPP is comprised of more than 3000 members and operating 8 branches in 12 Mexican States This study describes and analyzes the UCMPP experience, from its early stages of organization to its current situation. The underlying principle of this study is the contention that joint efforts by institutions of higher learning (Colegio de Posgraduados) and Mexican campesinos to provide rural populations with affordable credit is a viable alternative for (furthering) development in rural Mexico The investigator utilizes several methodological approaches to collect and analyze data. To collect information he relied on archival research and fieldwork using surveys, case study guides and focus groups. To analyze the data he uses primarily qualitative methods