Yucatán hosts fair to promote Milpa and Chaya Maya heritage

The Second Milpa and Maya Chaya Fair was held in Yucatán to promote the preservation of biocultural heritage. Organized by the State Center for Training, Research, and Humanistic Diffusion of Yucatán (Cecidhy) and the Secretariat of Science, Humanities, Technology, and Innovation (Secihti), the event brought together communities, producers, and specialists.

Participants shared knowledge regarding crop diversity, traditional plant uses, and the production systems of the Maya milpa. Villevaldo Pech Moo, director of Cecidhy, emphasized the importance of preserving the milpa as a traditional production system based on crop diversity and territorial integration. He noted that strengthening these systems aligns with the ‘Maya Renaissance’ promoted by Governor Joaquín Díaz Mena to bolster food sovereignty.

Efforts are also underway to recognize the nutritional value of chaya (Cnidoscolus chayamansa). Authorities are working on legal and technical mechanisms to certify its nutritional characteristics, aiming to secure official recognition or a designation of origin for the plant.