Mexico Promotes Food Sovereignty, Smallholders at FAO Event

Mexico highlighted food sovereignty and support for small-scale farmers as key elements of its strategy to address hunger and strengthen agri-food systems at the 39th Regional Conference for Latin America and the Caribbean of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). Through the Secretariat of Agriculture and Rural Development, the country outlined policies to boost domestic production of staple foods, improve rural livelihoods and advance sustainable agriculture. The dialogue reflects a regional effort to better integrate agricultural policy, climate resilience and food security across Latin America’s agri-food sector.

—————

Mexico participated in the 39th session of the Regional Conference of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) for Latin America and the Caribbean, where it emphasized food sovereignty and support for small-scale farmers as central elements of its strategy to address hunger and transform agri-food systems. The conference, held in Brasilia, Brazil, brought together governments from across the region to review progress and define priorities to accelerate the eradication of hunger and promote more resilient agri-food systems.

During a virtual address in the ministerial session, Mexican Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Julio Berdegué said Latin America and the Caribbean already produce enough food to feed their entire population. However, hunger persists across the region due to deep social inequalities. 

“The eradication of hunger cannot continue to wait. It is a collective responsibility and a moral imperative,” Berdegué said. According to the minister, Mexico’s response focuses on strengthening food sovereignty, defined by the government as creating the conditions necessary to guarantee the constitutional and human right to sufficient, safe, nutritious and culturally appropriate food.

A key element of the strategy is increasing domestic production of staple foods that form the basis of the national diet, including corn, beans, rice and milk. Berdegué said that the Mexican government has specifically designed programs to expand production while providing financial and technical support to farmers.

The minister highlighted the role of small- and medium-scale agricultural, fishing and aquaculture producers in the country’s food system. With these individuals representing the foundation of the country’s food supply, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural development (SAADER) has dedicated 90% of its agricultural budget to family farmers, totalling over 2.8 million individuals. .

Berdegué also reported progress in poverty reduction, which officials said contributes to improvements in food security. Between 2018 and 2024, 13.4 million people in the country moved out of poverty, including 4.4 million in rural areas. The government views these changes as evidence of improved rural welfare and stronger food access.

Following Berdegué’s virtual participation, representatives within the Mexican delegation in Brasilia participated in several technical and ministerial sessions. The delegation was led by Santiago Ruy, SADER’s coordinator of international affairs.

During discussions, Mexico acknowledged progress by the FAO in implementing its Strategic Framework 2022–2031. The framework is guided by the organization’s “Four Betters” approach: better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life. Officials also emphasized that efforts to transform agri-food systems must keep small-scale farmers, rural communities and Indigenous peoples at the center of policy discussions. 

In regional panels, the delegation showcased advances in sustainable agricultural practices. The country’s delegation noted that Mexico has banned the cultivation of genetically modified corn as part of efforts to protect its native maize biodiversity, including 59 recognized varieties of native corn. In addition, SADER programs increasingly promote agroecological practices and technical assistance to reduce the use of highly hazardous pesticides.

SADER, FAO to Boost Sustainable Agriculture 

In Dec. 2025, SADER announced it would be participating  in a new package of projects approved by the FAO aimed at strengthening sustainable agriculture and climate resilience. Financed by the Global Environment Facility, the initiatives are designed to help countries improve agri-food system sustainability, enhance land management, and promote climate-resilient farming practices.

In Mexico, the focus will be on rural communities and areas facing environmental pressure, according to FAO. The projects emphasize the adoption of productive practices that improve soil management, restore degraded ecosystems and reduce the environmental footprint of agricultural activity. They are also expected to generate scalable models that can be replicated in other regions of the country. FAO said the approach aligns with international goals on biodiversity conservation and climate mitigation. 

Mexico will participate alongside countries including India, Bangladesh, Senegal, Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Ukraine. The projects fall under the FAO-GEF cooperation framework, which has been in place since 2006 and focuses on integrating environmental objectives into agricultural development.

Globally, the approved initiatives are expected to improve the management of about 1.2 million hectares of agricultural land and restore more than 314,000 hectares of degraded landscapes. FAO estimates the projects could help mitigate up to 84.5 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions through the use of agroforestry systems, sustainable soil management and climate-smart livestock practices. The program is projected to reach more than 1 million people worldwide and is supported by an international investment of nearly US$60 million.

FAO said the overall goal is to help countries transition toward more sustainable agri-food systems while strengthening rural productive capacity and improving resilience to climate impacts. The program also seeks to reduce pressure on natural resources by promoting land-use practices that balance productivity with environmental protection.