Technology, Science Boosting Agribusiness and Food Sector

Applied science and technology have become pillars for the agribusiness and food sector, especially in Mexico. Since the pandemic, opportunities have risen to build systems that increase producers’ incomes and raise the quality of consumer health products. Various strategies are being developed by associations such as the International Corn and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) and companies like Google that develop tools to evolve the sector and highlight certain aspects of Mexican culture.

CIMMYT’s developments have been directed toward the consolidation of sustainable agri-food systems to overcome the economic and health crisis in the country, as mentioned in an Agronoticias article. “This crisis has generated awareness and the opportunity to make the right decisions so that together, we can build a better future. Today is the moment in which together we can build these systems, extracting value toward a social aspect, toward reducing migration, toward increasing income for producers and, of course, toward consumer health from everything the field produces,” Bram Govaerts, CIMMYT Global Director of Strategic Development, mentioned in a recent release.

CIMMYT is promoting the transfer of the nixtamalization technique to Africa as a fundamental tool for nutrition, health and food security for families of that continent. In Mexico, the center is working together with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and various organizations to promote the production of strategic crops, such as corn, wheat, rice and beans, according to Agronoticias. 

Technology has also been developed in favor of Mexican producers and their culture. With the project, “De México con Amor” (From Mexico With Love), Oaxaca has become the first Mexican state to position and georeference its gastronomic and artisan culture, together with Google Mexico. This new tool was developed with the goal of promoting the economic recovery of Oaxaca in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, positioning Oaxacan producers easily and efficiently. Through effective geo-mapping, local SMEs can properly advertise the difference and value of their products, thus allowing consumers to know the origin and prestige of a product, reported Agronoticias. 

Mexico has been moving toward scientific and technological development for some time now. As previously mentioned by MBN, there have also been collaborations with other countries like the US to achieve better production, to guarantee food security and also to promote the economic recovery of the sector.