Mexico, Germany Advance Sustainable Agri-Food Systems

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (SADER) and the German Technical Cooperation (GIZ) reaffirm their commitment to transforming agri-food systems in Mexico, aiming to make them more sustainable, socially just, and resilient to climate change.

The announcement was made during a meeting presenting the results of the Proyecto Vida y Campo (Life and Country Project), a bilateral initiative for the agri-food sector that began in May 2022 and will conclude in October 2025. Julio Berdegué, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, highlighted the role of producers in the agroecological transition, saying they reflect the deep roots of Mexican agriculture, and reflect the future.

Berdegué says that President Claudia Sheinbaum has placed sustainability and innovation at the center of agricultural policy. Starting in 2026, SADER will implement a certification for agro-exports that are free from deforestation and irregular labor practices. Berdegué adds that the ministry is not interested in export agriculture built on informal, poorly paid, risky work without social security protections.

Both countries agreed to explore synergies between Vida y Campo and the new Sustainable Agriculture project, including potential contributions to compliance with the European Deforestation Regulation.

Ingrid Prem, Coordinator of the Biodiversity Program, GIZ Mexico, says that the bilateral initiative strengthens the capacities of producers as knowledge multipliers, fosters interinstitutional and intersectoral collaboration, and improves access to digital tools that enable new markets and traceability. “We remain committed to working hand in hand so that life in the countryside is dignified, with hope and opportunities for all,” says Prem.

Clemens von Goetze, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Mexico, calls Mexico a key global partner in sustainability, citing its implementation of international commitments. “We share a long and deep history of collaboration based on mutual trust, open dialogue, and a common commitment to the major challenges of our time: climate protection, biodiversity preservation, food security, and promoting more sustainable and inclusive development models,” he adds.

The event concluded with a panel discussion titled “International and Multilateral Cooperation: A Strategic Alliance for Sustainable Development of the Mexican Countryside,” hosted by GIZ Mexico and SADER with participation from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) Mexico, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).