Farmers' Perspectives on Participatory Breeding of Native Maize in Mexico: A Rural Application to Q‐Methodology

Although numerous farmer innovation strategies have been proposed to address the challenges in rural areas, there remains limited knowledge about how to effectively facilitate their adoption. This study utilizes Q‐methodology to identify the key factors influencing the adoption of a participatory breeding strategy for native maize in the central region of Veracruz, Mexico. The methodology was applied with 16 farmers, revealing three distinct perspectives regarding the most viable ways to promote this strategy: (1) fostering government intervention to provide resources and technical support, (2) ensuring the strategy results in increased economic benefits for families, and (3) prioritizing collective work and achieving prompt, tangible outcomes. The study highlights the importance of understanding the diversity of expectations among farmers regarding agricultural innovation strategies promoted by research groups, governmental institutions, and NGOs. Far from being homogenous, these expectations reflect complex and, at times, conflicting perspectives, underscoring the need for tailored approaches that consider local priorities and dynamics.