Mexico Targets 25Mt of White Corn Production by 2030

Mexico is working with small and medium-scale producers to reach the goal of producing 25Mt of white corn by the end of President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo’s administration, as reported by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (SADER). 

Speaking at the opening of the first forum “Corn, Millenary Heritage: Corn is the Grain of Gold, the Food of the Gods and of the People” in Veracruz, Julio Berdagué, Minister of Agriculture, said food sovereignty and self-sufficiency are priorities for the Sheinbaum government. “First, we must guarantee that Mexico has all the corn needed to feed its people,” Berdegué stated.

According to Berdegué, efforts focus on the country’s 2.5 million small and medium-scale farmers, who are expected to grow an additional 3Mt of white corn to meet the 2030 target. He said this requires a modest yield increase: “How much more corn do we need from each of you? Just a little over one additional ton per plot. For example, if someone has 3ha, adding 500kg/ha contributes to the nation’s food sovereignty,” he noted.

To support the goal, the Agriculture Ministry has distributed free fertilizers, provided technical assistance through Field Schools, and expanded access to the Harvesting Sovereignty program, which offers financing at an 8.5% interest rate along with subsidized agricultural insurance for small and medium-scale producers.

“This is an effort President Claudia Sheinbaum asks of corn producers, but the government is also contributing. That additional production makes Mexico stronger, less dependent and more sovereign,” Berdegué said.