Policies, complexity and the need for cooperation in epistemic inquiry for the stable use of natural resources.

Highlights: [•] Political and economic decisions have complex consequences for Mexican peasants. [•] Reconversion programs of crops increased exponentially migration. [•] Agrochemicals have caused irreversible environmental damage as soil depletion. [•] Deterioration in existence conditions has strengthened poverty, child exploitation and slavery. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]