Mexican Farmer Advocates for Forward-Looking Agriculture Policy with Trade and Technology
Source: DairyNews.today
As Mexico embarks on a new agricultural policy under President Claudia Sheinbaum, one farmer is calling for a modernized vision of self-sufficiency that leverages trade and technology instead of reverting to outdated methods.
President Sheinbaum’s recently unveiled plan aims to promote agricultural self-sufficiency, focusing on domestic production of staples such as corn and beans. “It is about producing what we consume,” she said, emphasizing small- and medium-scale farmers. Critics, however, argue that the program risks stifling innovation and ignoring the realities of a globalized food system.
Cesar Galaviz, a third-generation farmer from Sinaloa, Mexico’s agricultural heartland, believes the approach needs a radical rethink. “Self-sufficiency is a worthy goal, but it must look forward, not backward,” said Galaviz.
Rethinking Self-Sufficiency
Galaviz grows corn, beans, chickpeas, sorghum, and mangoes in Sinaloa, a region instrumental in making Mexico self-sufficient in white corn production for tortillas. He proposes a vision of self-sufficiency that relies on empowering farmers to innovate and respond to market demands, while embracing trade networks that support food security.
“Nobody is truly self-sufficient,” Galaviz explained. “We all depend on others—farmers, ranchers, and consumers. Trade networks enable this interdependence, and we should strengthen them, not shrink them.”
For example, Mexico imports yellow corn and beans for livestock feed from the United States while exporting avocados, beef, and tequila. This exchange, Galaviz argues, enhances both food security and economic opportunity.
Technology and Sustainability
President Sheinbaum’s plan has also drawn criticism for its nostalgic tilt, described by some as a return to the lower-yield, high-cost agriculture of the 1980s. Galaviz believes this approach neglects advances that have transformed farming.
“Technology has revolutionized agriculture, from seed genetics to precision planting using GPS. These tools allow us to grow more food with fewer resources, ensuring sustainability,” he said.
Galaviz pointed out that modern challenges like rising fertilizer costs, crop protection, and water scarcity demand innovation rather than retrogression. “Taking agriculture back to the 1980s means higher prices, lower production, and a reduced focus on conservation,” he said.
Education and Diet Improvement
Galaviz shares the president’s concern for improving Mexicans’ diets, but he sees education as the key. “Better nutrition starts with better awareness,” he said, suggesting school-based initiatives and public campaigns to promote healthier eating habits.
A Call for a New Vision
As Mexico navigates its agricultural future, Galaviz urges policymakers to embrace a progressive approach that blends trade, technology, and market responsiveness. “Our farmers can do more when they are free to innovate and grow what people want,” he said. “We need policies that address today’s challenges—not a vision rooted in the past.”
The debate over Mexico’s agricultural direction highlights a critical question: will the country embrace innovation to secure its food future, or will it retreat into an era of limited productivity? For farmers like Galaviz, the answer lies in forging ahead.
Cesar Galaviz, a third-generation farmer from Sinaloa, Mexico’s agricultural heartland, believes the approach needs a radical rethink. “Self-sufficiency is a worthy goal, but it must look forward, not backward,” said Galaviz.
Rethinking Self-Sufficiency
Galaviz grows corn, beans, chickpeas, sorghum, and mangoes in Sinaloa, a region instrumental in making Mexico self-sufficient in white corn production for tortillas. He proposes a vision of self-sufficiency that relies on empowering farmers to innovate and respond to market demands, while embracing trade networks that support food security.
“Nobody is truly self-sufficient,” Galaviz explained. “We all depend on others—farmers, ranchers, and consumers. Trade networks enable this interdependence, and we should strengthen them, not shrink them.”
For example, Mexico imports yellow corn and beans for livestock feed from the United States while exporting avocados, beef, and tequila. This exchange, Galaviz argues, enhances both food security and economic opportunity.
Technology and Sustainability
President Sheinbaum’s plan has also drawn criticism for its nostalgic tilt, described by some as a return to the lower-yield, high-cost agriculture of the 1980s. Galaviz believes this approach neglects advances that have transformed farming.
“Technology has revolutionized agriculture, from seed genetics to precision planting using GPS. These tools allow us to grow more food with fewer resources, ensuring sustainability,” he said.
Galaviz pointed out that modern challenges like rising fertilizer costs, crop protection, and water scarcity demand innovation rather than retrogression. “Taking agriculture back to the 1980s means higher prices, lower production, and a reduced focus on conservation,” he said.
Education and Diet Improvement
Galaviz shares the president’s concern for improving Mexicans’ diets, but he sees education as the key. “Better nutrition starts with better awareness,” he said, suggesting school-based initiatives and public campaigns to promote healthier eating habits.
A Call for a New Vision
As Mexico navigates its agricultural future, Galaviz urges policymakers to embrace a progressive approach that blends trade, technology, and market responsiveness. “Our farmers can do more when they are free to innovate and grow what people want,” he said. “We need policies that address today’s challenges—not a vision rooted in the past.”
The debate over Mexico’s agricultural direction highlights a critical question: will the country embrace innovation to secure its food future, or will it retreat into an era of limited productivity? For farmers like Galaviz, the answer lies in forging ahead.
