Oaxaca Advances Corn Self-Sufficiency With Native Corn Plan

Oaxaca produced 819,450t of corn in 2025, exceeding the state government’s target of 800,000t and advancing its goal of corn self-sufficiency. The increase has been supported by higher public investment in agriculture, collaboration with the International Corn and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) and the expansion of the National Native Corn Plan, which seeks to strengthen production, conservation, processing and commercialization.

According to Mexico’s Agro-Food and Fisheries Information Service (SIAP), more than 497,000 ha were planted and harvested in Oaxaca in 2025. Production increased from 708,192t in 2023 to 771,281t in 2024, before reaching 819,450t in 2025, representing growth of more than 15.7% compared with 2023.

Governor of Oaxaca Salomón Jara attributes the increase to higher public investment and support for small-scale producers. “Now Oaxaca is self-sufficient in corn. We set ourselves the challenge of becoming self-sufficient in six years, but we achieved the goal ahead of schedule because there has been more investment,” he says.

Jara says agricultural investment increased from about MX$100 million (US$5.8 million) under former Governor Gabino Cué, and between MX$150 million and MX$200 million under the administration of Alejandro Murat, to MX$700 million during the first year of the current government. For 2026, the state budget allocates MX$1.35 billion to the agricultural sector.

“We have to invest in agriculture, support and believe in small producers. We are proud that the president took a state program and made it national through the Native Corn program,” Jara says.

Oaxaca Expands Native Corn Strategy

The state’s production strategy is linked to the National Native Corn Plan, Corn Is the Root, which aims to strengthen the production, conservation, processing and commercialization of native Mexican corn through community-based agri-food systems. The plan aims to incorporate 1 million producers nationwide by 2028. In 2026, it will support 400,000 small-scale producers in eight states, followed by 400,000 additional producers in nine states in 2027 and another 200,000 in 2028.

In Oaxaca, 72,292 producers from 358 municipalities have joined the program and are organized into 1,770 Milpa Communities. These communities will receive between MX$135,000 and MX$190,000, depending on the number of members. The program will also provide support from 160 Territorial Technicians and 856 participants from Youth Building the Future, while 488 Learning and Innovation Modules will be established.

Oaxaca has 32 corn races, representing more than 60% of Mexico’s total diversity. The country has 64 recognized corn races, 59 of which are native. The first stage of the national plan covers 42 native races, equivalent to 71% of the country’s native varieties.

At the national level, the first stage covers eight states, 673 municipalities and 4,658 localities. So far, it has incorporated 327,320 producers, 6,170 Milpa Communities and 2,031 Learning and Innovation Modules.

CIMMYT Partnership Targets Higher Yields

Oaxaca’s Ministry of Agro-Food and Rural Development (SEFADER) has established a collaboration agreement with CIMMYT to increase productivity, improve yields, and strengthen the competitiveness of local corn. The partnership supports community seed banks, machinery and post-harvest centers, sustainable fertilizer and bio-input use, and expanded yield estimates. These measures are intended to strengthen producers’ access to technology, inputs and information while improving agricultural decision-making.

The federal government will also hold 57 supplier fairs from Aug. 15 to 31 to connect Milpa Communities with companies providing tools and light machinery and support local economic activity. Food for Wellbeing and the Government of Oaxaca signed an agreement to consolidate the National Native Corn Plan in the state and strengthen agricultural development as part of Mexico’s food sovereignty strategy.