Agriculture Improvements Through Dialog

MBN reported how Mexican organizations have asked the government to help them strengthen cotton production. This request was presented by the National Committee of the Cotton Product System, the National Chamber of the Textile Industry (CANAINTEX) and AgroBio México to prevent people from engaging in illegal activities to grow production. 

Manuel Espinosa, President of CANAINTEX, pointed out that unfair trade practices represent losses of US$16.5 billion in the cotton-textile chain, which generates more than 1 million jobs in Mexico. “The idea of the program is not to ask the government for funds. We just want the government’s help to end illegality and access state-of-the-art seeds. The objective is to meet with the president to show him all the data collected so the government can implement it,” said Espinosa.

The CEO of AgroBio also made a statement, saying there are only 24 genetically modified (GM) crops available in the world today. “Of these, only nine are available in Mexico and only four are of commercial interest. In Mexico, the only two GM crops grown are cotton and forage alfalfa … Argentina is one of the countries that has maintained its efforts in agriculture despite its ongoing political and economic crisis, just like Brazil. Mexico, which could become the leading producer in Latin America, is not taking advantage of this opportunity.”

 Interested in more? Here are the week’s major headlines in Agribusiness & Food!

• The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (SADER) announced that Mexico and the US have been reviewing their collaboration agreements in the agri-food sector for a stage for both countries driven by USMCA. This conference was held between Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador and US President Joe Biden, along the ministers of Agriculture of Mexico, Víctor Villalobos Arámbula, and of the US, Thomas James Vilsack. Mandataries agreed scientific and technological knowledge is essential to advance and face natural challenges. 

•  According to GCMA, Mexico will become the leading corn importer worldwide with purchases of up to 16.5 million tons, 9.1 percent more than in 2020. Brazil would take second place with 40.5 million tons, 22 percent more than in 2020. As mentioned by Agronoticias, it is expected that by the end of 2021, international corn trade will amount to a total of 184.1 million tons, equivalent to 16.2 percent of world production.

• Mexico and Israel held a virtual meeting to discuss technological cooperation schemes to boost production in the field. The meeting was hosted by Minister Villalobos and Israeli Ambassador to Mexico Zvi Itzhak Tal. Some of the subjects discussed were biotechnology, drip irrigation, smart greenhouses, digital agriculture and genetic development for livestock. This meeting is of utmost importance for both countries because useful information can be exchanged during the current health emergency.

• Fisherman and fish vendors of Puerto Ángel have been facing a big crisis since last year due to fish shortages and lack of tourism. Tourism rates have lowered 80 percent compared to pre-COVID-19 numbers, putting them in a difficult economic situation. According to Agronoticias, people have not been able to sell their merchandise and do not see the situation improving.