Andy wrote: I saw the same type of thing in Chicaman, where weather patterns have changed and rainfall and temperature, etc, etc. My 2 cents are that it is partially a macro problem (global warming from industry etc) but also a problem with the methods in Guatemala and the rest of the 3rd world. Since populations are growing and also industrialized farming is greater now than in the past the competition for land is greater. This leads to less field rotation, more deforestation (for more corn and wood for cooking and industry like panela), this combined with the use of chemical fertilizers and soil erosion from the deforestation is what I see it the main cause of the lower yields. I think the deforestation is the greatest problem, especially since the government is using pine for reforestation instead of more native trees in their very limited reforestation projects. I think this is very applicable to development problems since there are things they can doing to help not just blame a global problem. How often do you see terracing? Also rotating other crops to add nutrients to the land that is only used for corn (so places around Xela use mung beans in the off season and then till them into the soil before the corn is plant which is a good method, but I never saw near Chicaman). I'm sure I could go on for ages, but this was a topic I was really interested. I'd like to hear what your opinions are from what you've seen.