Agriculture is vital to the socioeconomic fabric of Mexico, and Dr. Arnulfo Del Torro Morales, general director of technology and development for the Ministry of Agriculture, emphasized the country’s historic and ongoing importance with his address Monday at the FCI Trade Summit. His presentation consisted of three parts: agricultural trends in Mexico, agricultural production in Mexico, and federal agricultural programs.
In the first portion, Del Toro estimated that about half of Mexico’s farmers are small shareholders; approximately 15% are commercial growers, and the other 35% are in some phase of transition between the two. The third group is especially critical toward Mexico’s continued emergence as an important exporter of a wide range of high value crops.
Una mirada a las estadísticas de producción reveló que la producción de frutas en México ha aumentado casi 50% desde 1994, mientras que la producción de hortalizas casi se ha duplicado. Se espera que estas tendencias de crecimiento y diversificación continúen, dijo Del Toro al grupo, y mencionó las crecientes oportunidades con los cultivos de pimientos picantes y bayas.
His discussion of federal programs included those pertaining to sustainability and food safety, as well as several projects relating to increased use of technology. He re-emphasized the importance of the latter in keeping Mexico’s prominence on the rise.
“Like much of the world, Mexican farmers are becoming very advanced in the use of technology and innovative systems to ensure the quality and yield of their crops,” Del Toro said. “Therefore the continued development of all types of field technology is extremely important to keeping our agricultural industry strong.”