Mexico Boosts Food Sovereignty with New Agri Deals

Mexico City — In a strategic move for the nation, Mexico’s Secretariat of Foreign Affairs (SRE) and Secretariat of Agriculture and Rural Development (SADER) signed pivotal agreements on July 22, 2025, reinforcing international cooperation to strengthen the country’s food sovereignty. These accords align with the objectives of the Plan Mexico, announced by President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo, marking a milestone in the transformation of the agricultural sector.

Strategic Agreements for Mexican Agriculture

The signing ceremony took place at the Foreign Ministry’s headquarters, attended by key figures including Foreign Minister Juan Ramón de la Fuente; Agriculture Secretary Julio Berdegué Sacristán; Executive Director of the Mexican Agency for International Development Cooperation (AMEXCID), Alejandra del Moral Vela; and Director of Science and Innovation at the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), Sarah Hearne.

Two critical agreements were formalized: a framework accord between SRE and SADER, and a specific agreement between AMEXCID and CIMMYT, as detailed in an official statement. This initiative underscores the government’s commitment to agricultural development and food self-sufficiency.

Key Voices: Government Strategy and Vision

Leaders of the participating agencies emphasized the significance of these agreements for the future of Mexican agriculture.

Juan Ramón de la Fuente: National Priority and International Projection

Foreign Minister Juan Ramón de la Fuente stated that these agreements are part of a robust national strategy aimed at defending food sovereignty and positioning Mexico internationally.

"Supporting rural producers is a priority; closing ranks among agencies is essential to achieve this," De la Fuente asserted. "This is a proven strategy, with science and technology as fundamental allies."

Julio Berdegué Sacristán: Cooperation for Shared Prosperity

Agriculture Secretary Julio Berdegué Sacristán highlighted the indispensable role of international cooperation in addressing the complex challenges facing the agricultural sector. He stressed that this collaboration is crucial to achieving the goals set by the current administration.

"Shared prosperity also means peace," Berdegué Sacristán declared. "By combining the capacities of the Mexican government, we are contributing to global development and food self-sufficiency."

The CIMMYT Project: Strengthening Agri-Food Innovation

The specific agreement with CIMMYT will facilitate the implementation of the ambitious project "Advancing Toward Integrated Agri-Food Innovation Systems in Mexico." This initiative will focus on developing multi-level technical capabilities in six priority states: Campeche, Chiapas, Guerrero, Michoacán, Morelos, and Puebla.

The CIMMYT project includes strategic actions to enhance the resilience of agri-food systems in rural communities, such as:

• Training: Specialized instruction for producers and technicians.
• Technical Assistance: Direct field support for implementing new practices.
• Knowledge Transfer: Dissemination of scientific and technological innovations.

These pillars aim to ensure that science and technology translate into tangible benefits for Mexican farmers, strengthening the country’s productive base.

The agreements between SRE and SADER represent a decisive commitment to self-sufficiency and prosperity in Mexico’s agricultural sector. This strategic alliance, driven by the vision of Plan Mexico, seeks not only to secure the nation’s food supply but also to position the country as a leader in international technical and scientific cooperation.

Can this synergy between diplomacy and agriculture solidify a future of food sovereignty for Mexico?