Whose money is it? Cattle production and household income allocation in Southern Veracruz, Mexico

Several studies have shown that the introduction of cattle production in the Mexican tropics has had damaging environmental and social effects. However, women's experiences have been overlooked in these studies. By taking a collective approach to the household, this paper analyses the control that women exercise over the income resulting from cattle production in Encino Amarillo, a Nahua community located in Southern Veracruz, Mexico. It is shown that, even though half of the available land is covered with pasture for cattle, most town revenues come from sources other than cattle. Some women have developed their own income generating activities and have managed to influence decision-making processes regarding household expenditure.