Mexico, France Expand Cooperation on Sustainable Agriculture

Mexico and France are strengthening cooperation on sustainable agriculture, rural development and food sovereignty, with projects focused on agroecological production, community capacities, women and youth. The partnership was highlighted during a bilateral colloquium held as part of the 200th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (SADER), Universidad Autónoma Chapingo (UACh) and the French Embassy in Mexico brought together researchers, public institutions and rural development stakeholders for the Sustainable Agriculture, Rural Populations. Mexico-France Cooperation colloquium.

Ernesto Ladrón de Guevara, Director General of Financing and Risk Management, said international cooperation should translate into knowledge and capabilities that respond to the needs of rural communities and their territories.

One of the main initiatives highlighted was the operation of 5,190 Field Schools linked to the Production for Wellbeing program. The strategy seeks to strengthen producers’ productive capacities and promote alternatives for transitioning toward more sustainable agriculture. Recent SADER data show that these schools operate across 28 states and have trained more than 171,000 producers in agroecological practices.

Ángel Garduño, Rector, UACh, emphasized the importance of combining scientific knowledge with local experience. “Agriculture is part of the history, identity and livelihood of millions of Mexican families. Today, the countryside faces real and severe problems that require a vision that puts people at the center, respects local knowledge and applies science where it is truly needed,” he noted. 

The bilateral agenda also includes projects focused on rural women and agroecological production. The Food Sovereignty and Women’s Empowerment in Campeche project combines Mexican and French research to promote food sovereignty and women’s autonomy through family bio-gardens and agroecological systems with water reservoirs. It also provides training in pest management, organic fertilizer production and local marketing.

Another initiative, AgroEcoBio-Mx, aims to promote the transition to agroecological production and agrobiodiversity nationwide. Its results include 36 workshops and the systematization of 45 Field Schools across nine states, as well as strengthened capacities among at least 1,500 community promoters.

The countries identified further opportunities in sustainable agricultural, agroforestry, aquaculture and fisheries systems, along with agricultural training and stronger organizations for small- and medium-scale producers. The agenda responds to challenges including climate change, biodiversity loss and food sovereignty. 

Cooperation Extends to Marine and Coastal Resources

The bilateral sustainability agenda also extends to oceans. During the Mexico-France Forum on Marine and Coastal Biodiversity, SEMARNAT and the French Embassy discussed conservation, restoration and sustainable management of marine and coastal ecosystems.

Delphine Borione, French Ambassador to Mexico, highlighted the importance of cooperation following the entry into force in January 2026 of the Agreement on biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ), citing Mexico’s role in the negotiations. “The ocean is subject to growing pressures. Faced with these challenges, no country can act alone,” she stated.

France and Mexico are also seeking to integrate biodiversity into productive sectors such as fisheries through projects supported by the French Development Agency. Borione said recent cooperation instruments with Mexico’s environmental authorities now need to translate into exchanges, shared knowledge and new projects.

Together, the agricultural and marine initiatives broaden Mexico-France cooperation around sustainable production, linking rural development and food systems with biodiversity conservation and the sustainable management of natural resources.