Mexico Chosen as FAO Demo Country for Amaranth Value Chain

FAO selected Mexico as a demonstration country to strengthen the value chain of amaranth. This designation is part of FAO’s global initiative, “One Country, One Priority Product,” aimed at recognizing and supporting the development of unique agricultural products.

Mexico's selection acknowledges the country’s commitment to boosting the production, transformation, and promotion of amaranth, a crop noted for its potential to combat desertification in central-northern Mexico and globally. FAO’s recognition also highlights the work of Mexican producers, researchers, and the agroindustry in advancing the role of amaranth as a viable alternative in challenging environmental conditions.

Mexico was chosen from among 16 countries spanning five FAO regions: Africa, Asia and the Pacific, Europe and Central Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, and the Near East and North Africa. In Latin America and the Caribbean, Chile and Trinidad and Tobago were also finalists.

The “One Country, One Priority Product” initiative promotes the sustainable development of agricultural products with unique qualities linked to geographic locations, agroecological practices, and cultural heritage. It encourages the integration of these products into national and international markets, emphasizing the interconnected economic, social, and environmental dimensions of agri-food systems.

The initiative also supports the development of sustainable and inclusive value chains, particularly benefiting small-scale and family farmers. FAO’s program aims to enhance the production, storage, processing, and marketing of selected agricultural products through the adoption of innovative and sustainable technologies.

As a demonstration country, Mexico is expected to serve as a model for other nations in the region, showcasing best practices in implementing national and community-level activities. This includes the integration, validation, and application of relevant technological innovations, as well as the effective mobilization of technical, financial, and human resources to ensure the successful execution of these projects.

The success of the “One Country, One Priority Product” initiative relies on establishing a robust demonstration network to guide and facilitate the sustainable development of agricultural products across participating countries. Active involvement from small-scale producers in various stages of production, processing, and marketing is seen as crucial to achieving these goals.