Sembrando Vida Improves Livelihoods Amid Challenges: CONEVAL

The Sembrando Vida program has improved the quality of life for many farmers in Mexico, according to the National Council for the Evaluation of Social Development Policy (CONEVAL). However, challenges such as insecurity and climate change have forced some farmers to abandon their production units.

Sembrando Vida began operations in 2019 with the goal of contributing to the social well-being of farmers through actions aimed at achieving food self-sufficiency, rebuilding the social fabric, and restoring the environment. In 2023, the initiative operated in 23 federal entities and served 451,665 people, with Chiapas, Veracruz, Tabasco, Guerrero, Oaxaca, and Campeche having the largest number of beneficiaries.

According to the "Qualitative Impact Evaluation of the Sembrando Vida Program" conducted by CONEVAL, the program has successfully contributed to improving the living conditions of its beneficiaries. It was determined that financial support has increased people's purchasing power, allowing for an improvement in the quality and quantity of food in their homes. Additionally, the diversification of crops and the use of community nurseries have increased the availability of food for self-consumption.

More than 60% of the beneficiaries have started saving part of their income to improve the production of their plots or finance new projects. Most beneficiaries have small agricultural and non-agricultural businesses that complement their income, linked to the increased local cash flow from the program's economic support. The initiative has also fostered the recovery of collective work methods, encompassing a wide range of actions such as cleaning water bodies, maintaining sports fields, roads, parks, streets, paths, reforestation activities, donating trees from community nurseries, and offering environmental education workshops in schools.

The study determined that, in contrast to the program's objective, there remains a heavy reliance on the monthly monetary transfer that producers receive, to maintain these positive effects. Moreover, for those in more vulnerable conditions, representing about 20% of the beneficiaries, the additional income has not been sufficient to significantly change their economic situation, due to factors such as family size and the lack of complementary resources.

Sembrando Vida has also promoted the inclusion of women in the agricultural sector, who have taken on administrative roles within communities and actively participated in decision-making. However, this has resulted in a work overload, as female workers must combine the program's demands with household duties and other economic activities.

Regarding the implementation of agroforestry systems, 70% of the beneficiaries have adopted the designs proposed by the program, contributing to crop diversification. The program has provided knowledge in various areas such as tree pruning, pest control, and organic compost production, strengthening the beneficiaries' ability to manage their agroforestry systems. However, the commercialization of some products, such as fruits, prickly pear, achiote, and coffee, remains a challenge, as in many regions, sales take place in local markets at low prices due to a lack of added value.

On the other hand, the presence of organized crime groups has forced people to relocate and abandon their production units due to high levels of violence in some regions. Additionally, natural phenomena like floods and droughts affect the survival of plant and fruit tree species, harming farmers. CONEVAL pointed out that even drought-resistant crops like prickly pear, tunas, and maguey are at risk of being lost. Furthermore, adverse conditions have led some people to dispose of their livestock because they could no longer feed them.

According to the council's recommendations, it is necessary to adapt the program to the specific conditions of each region, as the original design is more suitable for the southern and southeastern areas of the country. Regarding water supply, coordinated measures should be taken with other agencies to ensure water availability to conserve soils, prevent flooding, and preserve and expand forested areas.

Finally, it is crucial to define gradual exit mechanisms from the program, such as incubating projects with added value, forming beneficiary networks, connecting with larger markets, and providing access to financing or business initiatives. "This transition should be flexible and aligned with the individual capacities and progress of beneficiaries, ensuring they move from continuous support dependence to self-sufficiency," reads a statement by CONEVAL.