Mexican Scientists Lead Glyphosate-Free Production Efforts

Víctor Suárez, Deputy Minister of Food Self-Sufficiency, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (SADER), highlighted the pioneering research of the Center for Research in Food and Development (CIAD) of the National Council of Humanities, Sciences, and Technologies (CONAHCYT) during the Producers in Agroecological Transition: Results of CIAD-CONAHCYT Agroecological Beacons conference. “Since 1982, CIAD has excelled in fields such as nutrition, food science, biotechnology, and sustainable rural development, maintaining independence from commercial interests,” highlighted Suárez. 

The Agroecological Beacons project, led by Irasema del Carmen Vargas, Director, CIAD, focuses on large-scale agroecological transitions in 14 agricultural regions. These efforts target medium and large-scale producers, improving soil quality and fertility, and increasing crop yields and resilience.

Suárez emphasized the urgency of shifting to agricultural models that incorporate justice, health, and sustainability, as supported by President Andrés Manuel López Obrador's decrees to ban glyphosate. He criticized the influence of commercial entities promoting profit-driven science at the expense of biodiversity and soil health.

Edith Calixto Pérez, Director of Technological Strategy, CONAHCYT, reported on the government's priority to regain food sovereignty using culturally appropriate alternatives. She noted the reduction in glyphosate imports since the 2020 decree, with no negative impact on crop productivity. “CONAHCYT has successfully identified and validated strategies for producing glyphosate-free food, establishing 22 Agroecological Beacons across 253 localities and 24,000ha,” she said.