SADER to Combat Drought Impacting Bean Production

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (SADER) launched the 2024 Certified Seed Program for Beans. This initiative aims to address the challenges of drought and desertification in the agricultural sector, supporting 41,267ha of bean production in the states of Chihuahua, Durango, Nayarit, San Luis Potosi, and Zacatecas.

The program involves distributing 1,230t of certified bean seeds during the Spring-Summer 2024 cycle. These seeds will be distributed to farmers with up to 5ha of land dedicated to bean cultivation. The certified seeds have undergone an "inoculation" process to promote early growth and deep root development, enhancing their resistance to water stress, pests, and diseases.

In 2021, Mexico achieved a record bean production of 1.288Mt. However, production declined in 2022 and 2023 due to severe drought in the north-central region of the country. With the certified seed program, the government aims to restore production capacity in affected areas and increase self-sufficiency in staple grains, which form the basis of the Mexican diet.

Víctor Villalobos, Ministry, SADER, expressed confidence that the Certified Seed Program for Beans will help restore the productive capacity of key bean-producing regions in the long term. He believes it will also enhance their resilience to climate change, pests, and diseases, enabling farmers to thrive despite the severe and extreme drought that has affected Mexican agriculture in recent years.

Esteban Villegas, Governor, Durango, welcomed SADER’s support in addressing the challenges facing agriculture and livestock in the state. He expressed his commitment to continue working closely with the federal government, particularly in developing infrastructure to capture rainwater and strengthen the state's agri-food sector for future generations.

Durango is a key bean-producing state, with an average production area of 191,808ha. The government is collaborating with the National Seed Inspection and Certification Service (SNICS) and the National Institute of Forestry, Agricultural, and Livestock Research (INIFAP) to distribute the certified seeds.

Mexico consumes over 1Mt of beans annually, produced by 570,000 farmers nationwide. Bean production generates over 382,000 permanent jobs and is valued at approximately MX$13 billion (US$726.6 million).