Adaptation Strategy of Mexican Avocado Farming

This is a geography assignment. Please answer the two questions according to the individual project and instructions in the attachment. The topic of this assignment is the adaptation strategy of the Mexican avocado planting industry.

• There are 2 questions below. Answer each question separately and following the steps/notes provided.
• You must relate all of your answers directly to your individual project (Mexico Avocado Farming).
• For Question 2, use in-text citations where necessary to support your answer and provide a reference list.
• Your submission will consist of one document that includes a cover page, answers, and the reference list.

QUESTIONS

Q1. In component 4 of the project (part of social, and economic factors), you identified and contextualized impacts that may result from climate-related exposures and/or globalization-related exposures in Mexico Avocado Farming. For this question, please complete a ‘risk matrix’ that categorizes FOUR of the impacts that you identified. In the matrix, you must consider combinations of probability and severity (e.g., high/high, high/medium, high/low, etc.) that can in turn inform assessment of risk. In the document you submit, you may use the grid below or design your own.

TIPS:

1. Which impacts do I choose from to put into the risk matrix for Question 1?

The impacts that you have to choose from are the ones that you mentioned in your project.

2. How many impacts do I choose and how do I know where do they go in the matrix?

The instructions ask for 4 impacts; this is how many you should place. It is expected that you will place them based on your prior research, especially literature about the probability and severity of primary and secondary exposures.

For example, an impact should be placed in the top left box if it has a high probability of occurring in the future and would catalyze severe social, economic, and environmental outcomes. When grading, we will be looking to make sure that they have been placed accurately (and, if necessary, we can refer back to your project). 

3. Is it required that I fill out all boxes in the matrix?

No. The point is to identify four impacts and place them accurately in the matrix. Some boxes may be left blank; other boxes may have more than one impact.

Q2. For this question, please present a set of THREE adaptation strategies that address at least TWO of the impacts in your matrix. You are permitted to focus in on two impacts because the expectation is that your strategies will be clear and focused. This question should be answered in 900-1200 words (no more, no less).

You should clearly identify a ‘what’, ‘why’ and ‘how’ for each adaptation strategy. (For example, you will need to do more than simply state “one possible adaptation strategy is to switch to more flood-resistant agricultural practices”. Go further to discuss the specific agricultural practices you are alluding to, how farmers will be engaged /informed/incentivized to undertake those practices, which government agency (if any) will lead the effort, etc.)

Note: you do not necessarily have to engage with the two highest risk impacts; you are welcome to choose the impacts that you feel you are the most appropriate or compelling.

TIPS:

1. Does it matter how many primary/secondary climate and globalization-related exposures we choose?

No, the mixture of these within the 4 impacts you place in the matrix doesn’t matter directly. With that said, I would strongly advise you to think about it strategically. Specifically, which impacts you would like to address in the adaptation strategy that you must develop in question 2?

2. Should the adaptation strategy that I develop in question 2 focus directly on the place and sector/community?

Yes. This is another place to remember that the take-home builds directly off of the project. Your adaptation strategy needs to be specific and well-conceived given the impacts you have placed in the matrix and the broader physical and human geographies of the place in question. One of the biggest ways students lose points on this question is by proposing adaptation strategies that are too broad, unfocused, and/or infeasible given the realities of the place.