Natural resources have been fuel for the cultural and economic development of society. However, some of these resources like water and agricultural land become limited to expand the crop production to feed a growing population. Agricultural border is expanding to regions with less suitable environmental conditions and scarce resources mainly water. Perceptions regarding the use and conservation of water may vary between cattlemen and farmers in arid region. The objective of this study was to know and to evaluate the economic, social and environmental perspective that agricultural producers (Ejidatarios [common land stakeholders], Mennonites,and Cattlemen) that lives in rural communities against private producers that are non-rural residents in Ojinaga and Aldama counties in the state of Chihuahua, México, comparing the willingness to pay for the water usage and conservation. The study was conducted surveying agricultural producers living in the region. Forty one producers were randomly selected, surveyed and they were grouped as crop farmers, cattlemen, and producers combining both activities. The survey included Mennonites, people born and raised in the region in which were identified Ejidatarios, and private ranchers. Different opinions regarding water use were analyzed. Results indicate that private ranchers showed higher willingness to pay for use and preserve the water resource in the region. Meanwhile, Mennonites and Ejidatarios were not willing to pay for the water use but willing to collaborate in preserving that natural resource.
Oral presentation and poster titles, abstracts, and authors from the Society for Range Management (SRM) Annual Meetings and Tradeshows, from 2013 forward.