Agriculture Sector Needs Sustainable Electricity: Mexico Solar

Mexico solar is implementing photovoltaic pumping systems in the agriculture sector. Meanwhile, CONACYT said that Mexico is going through an agro-ecological transition. 

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Mexico Solar Brings Solar Panels to the Agriculture Sector

Mexico Solar has installed 2,487 solar panels across the country for the irrigation of crops. The installation of photovoltaic pumping systems in the countryside has saved up to 1.3MW/year, representing a reduction of 23,500t of CO2. According to Víctor Briseño, Manager, Mexico Solar, by the end of 2023, the project will expand to 1.6MW, which is equivalent to the installation of 5,500 solar panels. This will allow the pumping of water for farmers and will also cover part of the domestic demand of communities surrounding agricultural areas.

Mexico Is Going Through an Agro-Ecological Transition: CONACYT

María Elena Álvarez-Buylla, Director, CONACYT, said that Mexico is going through an agro-ecological transition that revalues the millennial corn production. According to the director, farmers in the US are willing to plant non-GMO corn, as the Mexican government has requested. “Transgenic corn is linked to the herbicide glyphosate, which is set to be completely banned in Mexico by March 31, 2024. Moreover, this grain does not possess the same nutritional value that native varieties have,” Álvarez-Buylla pointed out. 

Meat Consumption Rose 3.1% in 2022

During the presentation of the Mexican Meat Council’s (CoMeCarne) Statistical Compendium 2023, Ernesto Hermosillo, President, reported that in 2022, Mexico presented an annual increase of 3.1% in fresh meat consumption despite inflation. Additionally, the sector reached overall growth of 2.6% compared to 2021, with a total production of 7.8 million t of meat. Mexico’s domestic production covered 73.6% of the national meat demand, while the remaining 26.4% was purchased from other nations. 

FND Termination Will Impact Small Producers: FIRA

FIRA pointed out that the elimination of Financiera Rural will have a negative impact on rural financing, especially among small producers. The trust has taken over the needs of rural financing in the market through alliances with different states, such as Sonora, and a network of 110 intermediaries. Currently, 29,000 producers have migrated to the FIRA financing scheme for an estimated amount of MX$6 million (US$340,608). 

Extreme Heat Strokes? Finance Companies to the Rescue

In 2022, Gabriel Yorio, Mexico's Deputy Minister of Finance, announced plans to introduce a range of green financial instruments to mitigate the risks of climate change. Financial institutions are providing farmers with access to climate risk management tools, allowing them to purchase policies through brokers and insurers to protect themselves against threats not typically covered by traditional farm policies. 

The Gradual Momentum of a ‘Green’ Market

Jose Armando López, CEO, APEAM, talks about the benefits of avocado and highlights the importance of promoting the consumption of this fruit among partner countries, including the US, Canada, Japan and China. The company promotes avocado based on marketing strategies such as commercials that are broadcast during the Super Bowl, or special campaigns designed for the celebration of Cinco de Mayo in the US. “The dissemination of its benefits, as well as its versatility in terms of consumption, together with the promotion by its fans, will continue to drive the growth of this industry,” pointed out López.