Objective: This research aimed to empower rural communities in Southeastern Mexico by using cultural knowledge of Atractosteus tropicus to support the creation of microenterprises based on its sustainable use, promoting socio-economic development. Theoretical Framework: The study draws on participatory action research (PAR) and sustainable development principles, aligning community-based resource management with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Method: A participatory action research approach was applied, integrating needs assessment and community involvement at all stages. Training programs were tailored to local needs, focusing on tropical gar biology, ecology, and traditional gastronomy, alongside tools for marketing, entrepreneurship, and microenterprise management. Results and Discussion: The project fostered innovative food products with sustainable packaging and promoted women’s active leadership in microenterprise initiatives. Sustainable fishing practices were strengthened, directly contributing to SDGs such as poverty reduction, zero hunger, decent work, reduced inequalities, responsible consumption, life below water, and partnerships. Community feedback reflected a positive response to training and new economic opportunities. Research Implications: This research underscores the value of culturally relevant, community-centered approaches in sustainable development, demonstrating potential for broader applications in rural regions with unique resources. Originality/Value: This study highlights an integrative model where traditional ecological knowledge and local resources meet entrepreneurship and sustainability, setting a replicable framework for community empowerment and biodiversity conservation.

Objective: The problems in the sustainable management of natural resources in their fishing practices in the community of Aztlán Quinta Seccion Palomillal in Tabasco, Mexico, are analyzed to develop community solutions and improve sustainability and socioeconomic results. Theoretical Framework: It is based on the theory of sustainability (World Commission on Environment and Development, 1987, p. 43), the natural resources management model (Natural Resources Commission, 2012, p. 3) and the theory of participatory research (Reason & Bradbury, 2008, p. These frameworks are the context in which fishing practices are developed in the community, serving as a relevant case study for southeastern Mexico, facilitating the analysis of the problems and proposed solutions. Method: A qualitative case study design focused on community-based participatory research was applied, involving key community actors, including fishermen and leaders of the fishing cooperative. Data collection was through semi-structured interviews, focus groups and participant observation. The interviews were designed to learn about challenges in resource management, while focus groups facilitated discussions about possible solutions. Participant observations were carried out during community meetings and the sociocultural and environmental context. Results and Discussion: The problems of sediment accumulation, the presence of invasive species, the lack of adequate infrastructure and low educational levels were identified. There is an urgency to implement strategies that combine traditional knowledge with modern practices to improve the sustainability of fishing activities. The importance of community participation is highlighted. Research Implications: It has significant practical and theoretical implications for sustainable resource management in rural fishing communities and can be applied in other similar rural contexts and contributes to the theoretical development of community-based participatory research. Originality/Value: An innovative community-based participatory research approach is applied for sustainable natural resource management in a rural fishing community, replicable for sustainable resource management in vulnerable contexts.

Este estudio se centró en investigar el potencial del pejelagarto (Atractosteus tropicus) como un recurso clave para el desarrollo económico sostenible en las comunidades rurales de Tabasco. Mediante un enfoque participativo, se identificaron oportunidades de negocio que no solo fomentan el crecimiento económico, sino que también contribuyen a la conservación de la biodiversidad local. La fuerte conexión cultural entre el pejelagarto y los habitantes de la región se presenta como una ventaja competitiva, permitiendo el desarrollo de productos derivados que pueden satisfacer tanto la demanda local como la de mercados turísticos especializados. Además, la valorización de este recurso puede generar ingresos que promueven la cohesión social y el empoderamiento comunitario, facilitando el acceso a oportunidades económicas. El proyecto propone implementar estrategias que integren la sostenibilidad y la cultura local, lo que no solo potenciaría el impacto positivo en la economía de las comunidades, sino que también garantizaría la preservación del patrimonio cultural y natural. Este enfoque integral es esencial para impulsar un desarrollo económico resiliente y sostenible en la región, contribuyendo a un futuro más equitativo y próspero para sus habitantes.

La investigación introduce una metodología para la creación de un modelo de turismo sostenible en las localidades rurales de Ismate y Chilapilla primera sección, en Centro, Tabasco. Se empleó el método científico para establecer un enfoque integral y participativo, que considera aspectos ambientales, sociales y económicos. La metodología consta de cinco etapas: definición y diseño de la investigación, revisión bibliográfica de estudios previos en turismo sostenible, inventario de recursos naturales y culturales, análisis de la demanda turística y el diseño final del modelo de turismo sostenible. Los hallazgos sugieren que la metodología es adaptable y podría aplicarse a otras zonas rurales, tanto a nivel nacional como internacional. Los resultados apuntan a que la implementación de la metodología podría fomentar el desarrollo sostenible en las comunidades rurales, generando ingresos, empleo y promoviendo la conservación de la cultura local y el medio ambiente. La conclusión destaca la propuesta como una herramienta innovadora y replicable para el desarrollo sostenible de destinos rurales.

This study analyzes how the integration of native maize cultivation, cultural identity, and technological innovation can promote sustainable and experiential tourism in rural Mexico. The research was conducted in the community of Llano de Guadalupe, Tlaxiaco, Oaxaca. The participatory Action Research process progressed through institutional coordination, participatory diagnosis, biofertilization training, monitoring activities, and community dissemination phases conducted between 3 March 2025 to 25 May 2026. The methodological process included institutional coordination, participatory diagnosis, semi-structured interviews, focus groups, field observations, and the implementation of agroecological practices based on biofertilization. An AI-assisted illustrated field notebook was co-designed to support intercultural education, knowledge exchange, and community participation. The study also incorporated collaborative storytelling, seed preservation practices, and the co-design of sustainable tourism routes grounded in local gastronomy, biodiversity, and agricultural traditions. Preliminary impact indicators showed the expansion of participation from two pilot producers to 54 local producers after community dissemination activities. Findings indicate that the integration of traditional ecological knowledge with generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) can strengthen community empowerment, intergenerational learning, and sustainable livelihoods while preserving biocultural heritage. The proposed circular framework connects ecological, social, cultural, and economic subsystems by transforming agroecological practices into educational and tourism assets. The results suggest that Indigenous and rural communities can lead sustainable destination development when supported through participatory governance, inclusive education, and context-sensitive technological innovation. The Tlaxiaco case offers a transferable framework for sustainable rural development that contributes to food sovereignty, biodiversity conservation, environmental stewardship, and local economic resilience.

This study explains how the integration of native corn cultivation, cultural identity, and technological innovation can foster experiential and sustainable tourism in rural Mexico. Focusing on the community of Llano de Guadalupe in Tlaxiaco, Oaxaca, it was applied a community-based participatory research approach to co-design agroecological practices, including biofertilization with Rhizobium jaguaris, and intercultural education tools such as an illustrated field notebook. The project involved collaborative storytelling, seed preservation practices, and planning of micro-tourism routes. Findings demonstrate that the combination of traditional agricultural knowledge with generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) enhances community empowerment, promotes intergenerational learning, and facilitates sustainable livelihoods. The circular model implemented connects ecological, social, and economic subsystems by converting agroecological practices into tourism assets while preserving cultural values and biodiversity. The results suggest that original communities can lead sustainable destination development when supported by inclusive education, technology, and bottom-up governance. The case of Tlaxiaco offers a replicable model of regenerative rural tourism that strengthens food sovereignty and environmental stewardship while creating new opportunities for youth and regional economies.