SADER Empowers Vulnerable Farming Communities

In 2022, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (SADER) successfully reintegrated over 44,500 small-scale producers into productive agricultural activities, addressing vulnerability in arid regions, high-marginalized areas, indigenous communities, and areas affected by climate phenomena, such as drought. SADER’s reintegration projects have benefited farmers in regions like the Yaqui in Sonora, where technical assistance from the National Institute of Forestry, Agriculture, and Livestock Research (INIFAP) supported small-scale farmers in agricultural development, emphasizing wheat cultivation and alternative short-cycle, low-water-demand crops like oilseeds and perennial forages. Similar initiatives were also carried out in Michoacan, Zacatecas, and Guerrero, among other states. 

The successful execution of the Rain Stimulation Project in northern states, including Sonora, Sinaloa, and Tamaulipas, in collaboration with the National Commission of Arid Zones (CONAZA), state governments, and the Mexican Air Force, aimed to alleviate drought effects, contributing to agricultural irrigation reservoirs and restoring grasslands. Additionally, nopal forage seedbed plots were established to benefit small livestock farmers in various regions, in collaboration with CONAZA, aligning with the National Development Plan and Sectoral Program objectives.

SADER also highlighted initiatives to rebuild the productive capacity of displaced communities in Tierra Caliente, Michoacan. Support included infrastructure and equipment to replace imported wheat flour with healthier, locally sourced banana flour, emphasizing bioeconomy and supply chain recovery. Efforts were also directed at enhancing the quality and commercial promotion of Mexican coffee and reactivating the production capacity of small producers of ornamental plants and flowers, one of the sectors that was most affected by the pandemic-induced lockdown.

Actions were taken to sustainably strengthen the vine and wine industry in the face of climate change and post-COVID-19 planning. In Jalisco, measures were implemented to restore the productive capacity of the Yahualica chili as part of the comprehensive justice plan for communities affected by the Zapotillo Dam construction.

SADER highlighted that initiatives were funded using the organization's internal resources, aligning with the goal of achieving more with less. Furthermore, all the projects are closely monitored and subject to operational controls by oversight bodies, ensuring strict adherence to budgetary commitments and accountability.