Basic Grain Production Continues to Grow: SADER
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Basic Grain Production Continues to Grow: SADER

Photo by:   Manfred Pecha - Unsplash
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Eliza Galeana By Eliza Galeana | Junior Journalist & Industry Analyst - Wed, 02/08/2023 - 08:09

Víctor Villalobos, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development (SADER), explained the importance of increasing basic grain production in Mexico during an assembly of the National Chamber of Industrialized Corn (CANAMI). 

In the past four years, Mexico’s agrifood sector has experienced sustained growth in corn, beans, rice and wheat production, going from 31.5 million t in 2018 to 32.3 million t in 2021. For the closing of 2022, SADER expects a total volume of 33,9 million t. 

During the assembly, Villalobos pointed out that SADER is responsible for providing producers and agribusiness stakeholders with public policy instruments, training programs as well as public goods and services. He stated that the ministry supports institutions and research centers to increase sustainable food production, meet international commitments and guarantee food access to the population.

Villalobos told members of CANAMI that, despite the complicated international outlook, the agricultural sector has seen important growth. “This speaks of the hard and responsible work of the entire agri-food sector to maintain the timely supply to domestic and international markets,” he said. Furthermore, he called on participants to foster partnerships with the National Institute of Forestry, Agricultural and Livestock Research (INIFAP), the International Corn and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) and the Crops for Mexico program, which promote sustainable production practices.

According to Villalobos the sector continues to grow. In 2022, production for the agriculture, livestock, fisheries and aquaculture sectors closed with 297.7 million t. For 2023, this figure is expected to exceed 300 million t. 

Marcela Martínez, President, CANAMI, acknowledged SADER for fostering communication with the primary sector. Moreover, she highlighted that the chamber has 72 industrial plants, enabling it to meet a demand for eight million t of corn and accounting for 18% of the domestic consumption. CANAMI has created 40,000 direct jobs and contributes 13.5% of the food industry’s GDP.

José Abugaber, President, the Confederation of Industrial Chambers (CONCAMIN), urged to integrate public-private partnerships to help diminish yellow corn imports. “The research and technologies developed by CIMMYT must be used to address challenges in corn production since corn is at the basis of our food system in Mexico,” he stated.

Finally, Villalobos predicted good production prospects for 2023. Regarding corn, grain production in Sonora and Sinaloa is expected to reach between 6.5 and 7 million t this year.

Photo by:   Manfred Pecha - Unsplash

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