Labor allocation to non-timber extraction in a Mexican rainforest community

This paper analyzes the determinants of participation in the extraction of xate palm, the most important non-timber forest product in the Mexican Lacandona Rainforest (Selva Lacandona) in terms of its contribution to cash income for households. Results show that low opportunity costs and low human capital, two strong correlates of rural poverty, significantly explain the degree of participation in xate extraction. This gives reasons to be moderately optimistic about the poverty-reduction potential of programs that successfully increase the price of xate received by extractors.