Mexico Reaffirms Commitment to Non-GMO Corn, Biodiversity

Mexico’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (SADER) has emphasized the country’s commitment to preserving the biodiversity of native corn and maintaining a ban on genetically modified (GMO) corn cultivation. Julio Berdagué, Minister, SADER, highlighted the cultural, historical, and environmental significance of corn in Mexico.

“This country will not cultivate GMO corn for any purpose, whether for human consumption, forage, or any other use,” Berdegué said. He stressed that protecting native corn varieties, which represent a critical reservoir of global genetic biodiversity, is essential for addressing climate change and ensuring sustainable agriculture.

The Minister noted that the origins of Mexico’s civilization are deeply tied to corn, which has been a staple crop since ancient times. He underscored the role of farmers in maintaining biodiversity through traditional practices of selecting and hybridizing seeds, which continue to produce new varieties of native corn.

Despite drought conditions in some regions caused by climate change, Berdegué assured that Mexico has an adequate supply of non-GMO white corn. Favorable rainfall in central states such as Jalisco and Michoacan has supported robust harvests, with producers reporting surplus yields, he stressed. The minister also pointed to data from the 2022 Agricultural Census conducted by INEGI, which shows that small-scale producers with plots of 1-5ha account for 81.8% of Mexico’s corn production. This underscores the vital role of smallholder farmers in the country’s agricultural landscape.