AI Will Be Key in Feeding Mexico’s Population

During the AgroTech 2023 convention, held in Guadalajara, industry specialists talked about the importance of implementing various technological tools, such as artificial intelligence, in the agriculture sector. According to experts, modernization in this sector will be required to feed 150 million Mexicans expected to inhabit the country by 2050.

Bernd Rohde, CEO, Italian German Exhibition Company, highlighted that the Mexican countryside will need to move towards Agriculture 4.0 by adopting artificial intelligence, Big Data, blockchain, automation, drones, Logistics 4.0, among other kinds of technologies. “To feed 150 million people we will need to increase current agricultural production by 50.70%. To do so, we need to change the face of Mexican agriculture,” he said. Rodhe pointed out that many agro-industrial companies already take advantage of technology to generate higher yields on their crops, reduce the use of fertilizers and monitor, control and manage their crops with greater efficiency and quality. 

Jorge Aldana, Branch Manager Mexico and Central America, John Deere, a leading company in the production of agricultural tools, stressed that the great challenge of the industry will be to democratize technology among producers. “A satellite to monitor the journey of a truck can cost around MX$220,000 (US$12,407.34). It Includes installation, steering wheel, antenna and training for the staff,” he said.

SADER reported that by the end of 2023, agricultural, livestock and fisheries production is expected to reach a total of 301.3 million t, which would represent an annual increase of 1.2%. However, these numbers would result insufficient towards the future. According to data from the AgroTech expo, Mexico currently ranks twelfth in food production and is seventh-largest exporter, as well as the third largest food industry in the American continent. “Mexican agricultural products, including avocado, tomato, blackberry, green chili, raspberry, lemon, beef and octopus are consumed in 164 countries worldwide, with a potential market of 1,353 million people," Aldana pointed out. 

Gustavo Garcia, Director, Agrotech Mexico and World Seafood Industry Mexico, highlighted that implementing advanced technology in this sector will be a must to meet food security expectations in the coming years. “Even if you take a vacation away from technology, technology will never take a break. We need to see more scanning solutions, automation, Internet of Things and Big Data in the agriculture industry,” he said.