CIMMYT, Mexican Officials Align on Sustainable Agri-Food Strategy

The International Corn and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) welcomed Julio Berdegué, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, and Rosaura Ruiz, Minister of Science, Humanities, Technology, and Innovation (SECIHTI), to its headquarters in Texcoco to review collaborative efforts to transform the country’s agri-food systems.

The CIMMYT is focusing on science, innovation, and capacity-building, which are essential tools for addressing the challenges in food systems, says Bram Govaerts, Director General, CIMMYT. Govaerts says that under his leadership, the organization will intensify joint innovation and training efforts to bring resilient grain varieties and agricultural practices to small and medium-scale farmers in Mexico and beyond.

The visit included a tour of the Wellhausen-Anderson Genetic Resources Center, one of the world’s most comprehensive seed banks, which holds over 124,000 wheat and 28,000 corn accessions. These resources are used to develop crop varieties with improved climate resilience, pest and disease resistance, and nutritional quality.

Research in crop biofortification was presented as a key element in linking agricultural science with improved nutrition, especially for vulnerable populations. These efforts are complemented by CIMMYT’s long-term sustainable agriculture research platforms, which test integrated practices tailored to local conditions.

Berdegué highlights the importance of tailoring agricultural innovations to the needs of small and medium-scale farmers. He says that the ministry’s commitment to supporting technologies that promote sustainable, inclusive production systems aligned with Mexico’s food sovereignty goals.

Ruiz emphasizes the government’s interest in maize and bean seed production and improvement. She also highlights CIMMYT’s potential to contribute to technological development in agriculture, particularly through scalable mechanical and robotic innovations adapted to community contexts.