Maya Farmers Halted by Costly Transport Permits

José María Morelos, Quintana Roo — Farmers and small producers in the Mayan region have denounced what they consider an abuse by the Quintana Roo Mobility Institute (Imoveqroo). The state authority requires them to obtain commercial cargo permits to transport their products, even in minimal quantities intended for local trade, a measure producers say is crippling their livelihoods.

Unaffordable Burdens on Small-Scale Trade

According to those affected, the requirement to secure a commercial cargo permit for intrastate travel is disproportionate to the economic reality of Quintana Roo's agricultural sector. "Imagine if I take out four or five sacks of corn and I have to pay for a permit that costs more than the product itself," lamented one of the affected producers, who described the measure as a "squabble" on the farming sector.

The complainants note that communities in José María Morelos maintain active production of lemons, bananas, oranges, and other seasonal crops. They emphasize, however, that these are not large commercial operations but rather families harvesting their crops to sell to neighbors or in nearby towns to make a living.

“We’re not running a large-scale business; we simply bring the product out to sell to our neighbors, and this authority is holding us back,” they explained. Residents of the Mayan region view the imposition of these administrative procedures as a barrier that stifles local trade and penalizes the region’s productivity.

Awaiting Official Response

To date, Imoveqroo has not issued an official statement on whether there will be any facilities or exemptions for small producers who transport goods for self-consumption or minimal sale. Meanwhile, farmers warn that these policies discourage work in the fields in one of the areas with the greatest agricultural tradition in the state.