Mexico Faces Several Food Production Challenges: UMFFAAC

Food production in Mexico is facing several challenges amid climate change, degradation of natural resources, misinformation regarding scientific evidence on dangerous substances, the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine conflict, said Luis Eduardo González, President, UMFFAAC.

During the forum “Food and Agriculture Safety,” organized by UMFFAAC, González said that Mexico must incorporate all producers and place them at the forefront of the industry through technology. He also highlighted Mexico’s phytosanitary status, which has a “privileged global status. SENASICA complies in prevention, confinement, control and eradication of pests, plant and animal diseases.”

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Food Prices Fall in April but Food Security Remains a Concern

Given inflation and the Russia-Ukraine war, global organizations seek to transform agri-food systems to guarantee food security and avoid a larger crisis. Food security requires a strategy that prioritizes producers and consumers so they can continue business as usual, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). The food price index fell in April, a good first step to achieve greater purchase power for foodstuffs around the world.

“Peace is essential to protect people from hunger,” said QU Dongyu, Director General, FAO.

Agricultural Production Fintech Gets US$5 million Investment

Verqor, a fintech focused on agricultural production, announced the closing of an investment round for US$5 million, which the company will allocate to expand the range of services it provides to farmers in Mexico. Verqor seeks to boost the agriculture sector in the country through credits for agriculture supplies. Since its foundation in 2020, the company has distributed over US$3.7 million in supplies for 600 farmers, reported El Economista.

“Agriculture is an extremely productive industry, with an immense ocean of opportunities. Unfortunately, while other industries innovated, digitized and automated processes, agriculture did not evolve. The sector remained the same and despite the lack of investment, it was the only industry that grew in the country during the pandemic”, said Hugo Garduño, CEO, Verqor.

FAO Distributes Seed Potatoes to Vulnerable Rural Families in Ukraine

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has distributed seed potato kits to 17,740 households from across ten of Ukraine’s oblasts so they can plant food in time for the next harvesting season. Around 46,000 people will benefit from the campaign, which receives financial support from the EU and the Central Emergency Response, said FAO.