Education for the Use of Cactus in Northern Mexico: A Model

INTRODUCTION In a paper presented last year in this forum (Fuentes and Murillo, 1996), we visualized some scenarios for enhanced use of cactus, of which the best had education as a required variable. It was established that, to have a better future, education of people was a must in order to preserve the ecosystem. That education includes: * Awareness of the use of cactus to control erosion in the northern areas of Mexico and southern areas of the USA * Promoting consumption of cactus products However, it is very easy to say what to do, but it is difficult to know how to do it. In this article we propose a methodology based on persuasion and communication principles and studies of Mexicansʹ value systems that establish knowledge about cultural characteristics useful in defining a sound extension program.