Advances in the Agribusiness Sector

Recent Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (SADER) releases mention new contributions being made toward developing new research and technology and Mexico’s new responsibility as a global Reference Center for Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR).  

Among Mexico’s most recent achievements, the National Institute of Forestry, Agricultural and Livestock Research (INIFAP) obtained 21 certification processes for seed varieties, two breeder's titles for wheat varieties and 18 collaboration agreements with public and private institutions to strengthen and support producers with agroecological technologies.

Luis Ángel Rodríguez del Bosque, Director General of INIFAP, has mentioned on many occasions that this institute is "one of the noblest in the sector and the technical arm of agriculture, whose main task is to generate scientific knowledge and technologies that contribute to the sustainable development of production systems and producers of rural communities." 

As mentioned in SADER’s official press release, out of the 18 collaboration agreements, 16 are international. Mexico is now working with countries including Honduras, El Salvador, Panama, Ecuador and Belize.

The other recent achievement is that Mexico has been designated by FAO as one of the World Reference Centers for Antimicrobial Resistance. Antimicrobials, according to FSFB, are chemicals, "designed to treat or prevent diseases caused by microorganisms such as fungi, parasites, viruses and bacteria, among others." If handled the wrong way, they could represent a big threat to the public health in Mexico and the world, as it could increase the spread of infectious diseases, as stated by SADER.

Mexico is now responsible for implementing an action plan to raise awareness, develop surveillance and laboratories and promote correct practices and use of antimicrobials, according to FAO. Worldwide, the other countries with a similar mandate include the UK, Denmark, Thailand, Germany, the US and France.

According to FAO, these countries must work on: 

• Assessment of antimicrobial resistance through Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (AST) methods for bacteria of veterinary interest. 
• Training on the implementation of quality management systems for bacteriology and molecular biology laboratories.
• Training for the identification of molecular markers of antimicrobial resistance.
• Implementing AMR testing and surveillance programs at different levels.