International Journal of Life Science and Agriculture Research

This study analyzes how Indigenous communities build sustainable local economies beyond income generation. Through a systematic review of the scientific literature, following PRISMA 2020 and consulting Web of Science and Scopus, economic, social, cultural, environmental, and governance outcomes were identified and analyzed. The findings show that in Indigenous communities in Escárcega, Campeche, activities such as agriculture, home gardens, beekeeping, handicrafts, microenterprises, community tourism, and biodiversity use contribute in different ways to local well-being. These activities promote food security, income generation, biodiversity conservation, cultural preservation, and stronger community organization, although they face limitations related to training, financing, marketing, organization, and governance. It is concluded that the sustainability of Indigenous economies depends on the articulation of territorial resources, traditional knowledge, productive diversification, and community organization. Therefore, their evaluation should move beyond an approach focused exclusively on income and incorporate economic, social, cultural, environmental, and community autonomy dimensions.

Indigenous communities; local economy; sustainability; livelihoods; Escárcega; Campeche.

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