A New National Priority for Mexican Agriculture

Food security is no longer a sector-specific issue, it has become a matter of national priority. The global disruption of grain and fertilizer supplies, exacerbated by international conflicts, has exposed the vulnerabilities of agricultural systems heavily reliant on external inputs and fragile supply chains.

In times of global conflict, food security becomes a national security issue. Innovation and cooperation are essential tools to meet this challenge.

For Latin America, and especially for Mexico, this new reality calls for a fundamental rethinking of traditional approaches to agricultural development. According to recent data from the FAO, over 7 million people in Mesoamerica (which includes southern Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama) faced acute food insecurity in 2023, while the region receives only 10% of global climate financing for agriculture, despite its central role in global food production.

Technology with Purpose, Not as an End in Itself

Technological advances in agriculture are undeniable. From remote sensing to biological solutions and regenerative farming platforms, the tools exist and are already being successfully implemented across many regions.

The key is to integrate these innovations into a strategic and collective national vision that can be scaled. Technologies originally designed for conflict, such as drones, data systems, and digital platforms, are now being used to feed the world rather than fight wars.

With its climatic and biological diversity, network of international trade agreements, and a growing innovation ecosystem, Mexico is well-positioned to become a leader in Latin America's agro-food transformation.

The country has the potential to lead the region in regenerative agriculture by leveraging its biodiversity, talent, and multisector collaboration. But this potential must be translated into effective public policy, with long-term vision and measurable implementation mechanisms.

Today’s context demands shared governance of the agri-food system. Strengthening cooperation among producers, industry, academia, civil society, and government is essential to generate viable and lasting solutions.

As recently emphasized in the FAO’s “State of Food and Agriculture” report, the future of food lies in cooperation, not competition. From multilateral trade to shared research and development, collaboration has become the new currency of resilience.

Toward a National Agreement 

The National Agricultural Council has proposed the creation of a National Agreement for the Sustainability of Mexican Agriculture. This initiative seeks to align existing efforts and establish a cross-cutting platform for public policy, investment, and sustainable productive development.

Its proposed strategic pillars include:

• Scaling up sustainable and digital technologies with accessible financing adapted to all farm sizes

• Strengthening technical capacity building at the local level, especially in regenerative agriculture, water management, and climate adaptation

• Aligning fiscal and regulatory incentives with sustainability and competitiveness goals

• Developing green infrastructure and rural logistics to reduce post-harvest losses and emissions

• Reinforcing circular, inclusive value chains that promote traceability and social inclusion

In addition to this agreement, a National Regenerative Innovation Fund is also proposed — jointly financed by the public and private sectors — with the goal of:

• Supporting sustainable projects considering innovative technologies, bio-inputs, regenerative agriculture and animal husbandry, carbon capture efforts

• Financing sustainable rural enterprises led by youth and women

• Scaling proven models at a regional level

This fund would mobilize innovation from the ground up, connecting knowledge to national priorities on food security and climate adaptation.

Turning Strategy Into Tangible Progress

In times of disruption and scarcity, ensuring access to sufficient, healthy, and sustainable food is not just a technical challenge, it is a strategic imperative. Sustainability is not a luxury during times of crisis; it is the foundation of long-term food sovereignty and social stability.

Mexico is in a strong position to lead a deep transformation of its agricultural sector, grounded in resilience, knowledge, and multisector cooperation. This is the path to building not only food security but also social cohesion and regional prosperity.

Global crises reveal local opportunities. Investing in resilient food systems delivers tangible results, strengthening the economy, protecting our land, and securing national sovereignty.

The moment to act is now. The government, the private sector, academia, and producers must move beyond good intentions and make sustainability the new common ground of Mexican agriculture. The next harvest must be one of coordination, innovation, and national commitment.