Mexico Aims for 25 Million Tons of White Corn

The Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development, Julio Berdegué Sacristán, emphasized that the Mexican government is working with small- and medium-scale producers to reach a target of 25 million tons of white corn by the end of President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo’s six-year term.

Speaking at the opening of the First Forum “Millennial Heritage Corn: Corn, the Golden Grain, Food of the Gods and the People” in Texistepec, Veracruz, Berdegué Sacristán noted that President Sheinbaum’s priority is ensuring food sovereignty and self-sufficiency. This effort is part of the Mexico Plan, which includes 13 long-term goals aimed at promoting development and well-being toward shared prosperity.

“First we have to ensure that in Mexico we have all the corn that is needed to eat Mexicans,” the federal secretary highlighted at this meeting that highlights the cultural, historical and agricultural importance of corn in the south of Veracruz.

Julio Berdegué emphasized that this grain is not only a treasure of our country, but of humanity: “Corn was not only a gift from our ancestors to Mexico, it was a gift from our ancestors to the whole planet… If we lose our corn, we lose a part of the soul of Mexico as well.”

The head of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (AGRICULTURE) stated that efforts are focused on supporting the 2.5 million small- and medium-scale producers, who play a key role in producing three million tons of white corn and helping to achieve the target by the end of 2030, according to a press release.

“How much more corn do we need to produce each of you? A little more than an additional ton on your plot. For example, if someone has three hectares, then with an additional 500 kilos per hectare he has already contributed to the nation’s food sovereignty,” he said.

To support this goal, the federal secretary noted that AGRICULTURE has allocated resources to provide free fertilizers, offer technical assistance through Field Schools, and implement the Harvesting Sovereignty program, which includes financing at an 8.5% interest rate and subsidized crop insurance for small- and medium-scale producers.

“It is an effort that President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo asks for corn producers, but the government is also doing its part. This additional production is what makes Mexico stronger, that it has less dependence and can be a freer, more sovereign and more independent country,” he said.

The forum’s opening was also attended by Manuel Rafael Huerta Ladrón de Guevara, president of the Agriculture Commission of the Chamber of Senators, and Senator Lizeth Sánchez García, who highlighted initiatives aimed at rural development and improving the well-being of farming communities.

Later, Secretary Julio Berdegué Sacristán visited the Museum of the Siege of San Lorenzo Tenochtitlán, which houses one of the most important collections of Olmec artifacts, representing the mother civilization of Mesoamerica.

He also met with local producers, who shared the results from their fields and acknowledged his efforts, expertise, and commitment to preserving the agricultural heritage of their communities.

Tags: corn, crop, white corn, self-sufficiency, Mexico