Mexican Maize Production: Past, Present and Future

8/18/2019 Mexican Maize Production: Past, Present and Future

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LAW AND DEVELOPMENT

Mexican Maize Production: Past, Present and Future

Ximena Ramos Pedrueza Ceballos

LL.M. Candidate 2!"# $ni%ersit& o' Ore(on )*+ool o' La,

Ma& !"# 2!".

Word *ount-


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ntrodu*tion

t is ,ell /no,n t+at Me0i*an *ountr&side and a(ri*ultural 1rodu*tion is (oin( t+rou(+ a

*risis# es1e*iall& re(ardin( maize# one o' t+e basi* sta1le 'oods 'or Me0i*ans. armers and

1easants are not 1rodu*in( ,+at t+e& *ould# missin( out t+e o11ortunities 'rom t+e di%ersit& o'

resour*es to im1ro%e t+eir e*onomi*al *onditions. n t+eir re*ent ,or/in( 1a1er 3A*+ie%in(

Me0i*o4s Maize Potential5# Antonio Turrent ern6ndez# Timot+& A. Wise# and Elise 7ar%e&

anal&ze t+e *urrent situation o' maize 1rodu*tion in Me0i*o 'rom an em1iri*al and te*+ni*al

1ers1e*ti%e# ar(uin( t+at Me0i*o *ould a*+ie%e its maize 1otential b& ado1tin( ne, 1ra*ti*es

su*+ as inte(rated 'armin( and t+e use o' +&brid seeds# de%elo1in( ne, irri(ation in'rastru*ture#

and inte(ratin( all t+e interested se*tors o' so*iet&. T+e& brie'l& mention t+e 1roblems t+at +ad

led to a de1enden*e o' im1orted maize and +o, t+e *urrent (o%ernmental 1oli*ies are unli/el& tosol%e t+e 1roblems. T+is 1a1er ,ill anal&ze +o, t+e re*ent la,s and im1lemented 1oli*ies o'

Me0i*an (o%ernment to a*+ie%e 'ood se*urit 1arti*ularl& in relation ,it+ maize# +ad +el1ed to

1er1etuate some as1e*ts o' t+is situation# and ,+i*+ ot+er as1e*ts are im1ro%in(. irst# t+e

situation o' maize 1rodu*tion in Me0i*o ,ill be brie'l& des*ribed. T+is in*ludes a (eneral

des*ri1tion o' t+e im1ortan*e o' maize to Me0i*o8 t+e ado1tion domesti* neoliberal 1oli*ies and

international trade a(reements and t+eir *onse9uen*es in a(ri*ulture8 t+e *auses o' t+e internal

and e0ternal *auses t+at led to t+e *urrent situation8 and t+e most re*ent in'ormation a%ailable o'

1rodu*tion and im1orts. Ne0t# t+e t+ree main 1oli*ies ado1ted : t+e )ustainable Modernization

o' Traditional A(ri*ulture Pro(ram# t+e introdu*tion o' trans(eni* *ro1s# and t+e )trate(i* Pro;e*t

'or ield Maize : and t+e la,s t+at in'luen*ed t+em ,ill be e01lained. As t+e (o%ernment

+as stated in se%eral o**asions# t+ose 1oli*ies intent to transit 'rom traditional and less 1rodu*ti%e

te*+ni9ues to more 1rodu*ti%e and *om1etiti%e met+ods!# in order to de*rease t+e im1ort

de1enden*& and to in*rease 'armers li%eli+oods. ?e*ause o' t+at# t+is 1a1er ,ill also assess t+eir

e*onomi*# so*ial and *ultural im1a*ts.

. Me0i*o and maize

! One o' t+e 2!2 1residential *am1ai(n 1romises o' 'ormer *andidate and no, 1resident Enri9ue Pe@a Nieto ,ast+e modernization o' t+e *ountr&side. Re*entl +e rea''irmed +is *ommitment. rene 7onz6lez and Mar*os Viz*arra#

Modernización del campo en Sinaloa, refrenda Peña Nieto Modernization in the countryside of Sinaloa, endorses Peña NietoB# uentes idedi(nas Me0i*oB# Mar*+ # 2!"# a%ailable at +tt1-'uentes'idedi(nas.*om.m01ortal2!"inde0.1+1+emerote*anotas!=e1nsinaloaFG

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Maize is one o' t+e basi* *ultural# so*ial and e*onomi*al elements o' Me0i*an li'e. )in*e

t+e times o' t+e 1re+is1ani* *i%ilizations# it +as not onl& been a reli(ious and *ultural s&mbol 2#

but also one o' t+e main *ro1s t+at +as been (ro,n ,it+ uni9ue te*+ni9ues li/e t+e milpa and t+e

chinampa. t is t+e basi* sta1le 'ood 'or +uman *onsum1tion and one o' t+e main in(redients in

Me0i*an *uisine# ,+i*+ %aries de1endin( t+e re(ion and t+e maize s1e*ie." On a%era(e# ea*+

Me0i*an *onsumes !2H /( 1er &ear# +a%in( t+e ,orld4s se*ond +i(+est annual 1er *a1ita maize

*onsum1tion. t is also *onsidered t+e most *riti*al sour*e o' nutrition. or instan*e# t+e tortilla

: *oo/ed *orn dou(+ : 1ro%ide 3on a%era(e about IGJ o' +uman ener(& inta/e and "GJ o'

1rotein inta/e.5I

t is im1ortant to 1oint out t+at Me0i*o is *enter o' ori(in o' at least IG s1e*ies o' maize.T+e Russian (eneti*ist Ni/olai Va%ilo% de%elo1ed t+e *on*e1t o' 3*enter o' ori(in5# ,+i*+ re'ers

to an& (eo(ra1+i* zone ,+ere t+e ma0imum di%ersit& in *ulture is and ,+ere ,ild relati%es

*oe0ist and +ad *oe0isted. To be *onsidered as a *enter o' ori(in# t+e *ro1s s+ould be still (ro,n

in lar(e (eo(ra1+i*al areas t+at normall& are related to mountain re(ions. n t+e *ase o' maize

and ot+er G s1e*ies# t+e Primar& Center is lo*ated 'rom *entral=sout+ Me0i*o to +al' territor& o'

Central Ameri*a. Va%ilo% also dis*o%ered t+at t+e teosinte ,as t+e *losest ,ild relati%e o' t+e

maizeF# so its e%olution +as been lar(el& studied. H T+is ar(ument is a**e1ted no,ada&s and

s1e*ialists +a%e ar(ued t+at t+e trans'ormation 'rom teosinte to maize de1ended# in a *ertain

de(ree# on t+e an*ient te*+ni9ues o' indi(enous (rou1s and 1easants its domesti*ation.

2 or e0am1le# t+e Po1ol Vu+# a boo/ 'rom t+e Ma&an *i%ilization t+at des*ribes t+e ori(in o' t+e ,orld# des*ribest+at t+e 'les+ o' men ,as made 'rom ,+ite and &ello, *orn# and t+eir le(s and arms ,ere 'ormed ,it+ maize dou(+.AL?ERTNA )ARAVA# Anti(uas +istorias de los indios 9ui*+es de 7uatemala An*ient )roties o' t+e Kui*+e ndianso' 7uatemalaB# Porrua Ed. !GFB.

" A NTONO T$RRENT ERNNDE# TMOT A. W)E# AND EL)E 7ARVE># Achieving Mexico’s Maize Potential G7lobal De%elo1ment and En%ironment nstitute 2!2B ALEANDRO NADAL AND TMOT A. W)E# he !nvironmental "osts of Agricultural rade #i$eralization%

Mexico&'(S( Maize rade 'nder NA)A Wor/in( 7rou1 on De%elo1ment and En%ironment in t+e Ameri*as2BI *d . at .F O) A NTONO )ERRATO)


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T+e *onser%ation o' t+e (eneti* di%ersit& +as been a*+ie%ed due to t+e *ulti%ation o'

landra*es 'rom 1reser%ed seeds 'rom t+e *ro1s o' 1easants and t+e e0*+an(e ,it+ ot+er 1easants

in t+eir *ommunities.G n ot+er ,ords# 1easants and small=s*ale 1rodu*ers +a%e been ste,ards o'

t+e a(ro=biodi%ersit *ulti%atin( t+e di''erent landra*es a**ordin( to t+e s1e*i'i* e*olo(i*al

*onditions and t+e +uman needs.! T+e (eneti* di%ersit& +as also 3*ontributed in a de*isi%e

manner to (lobal 1rodu*tion o' *orn5# sin*e t+e +&brid %arieties (ro,n in t+e $.). Corn ?elt are

*lose des*endants o' t+e Me0i*an landra*es and its (erm1lasm.!!

rom an e*onomi*al 1oint o' %ie,# maize 1rodu*tion is still one o' t+e most im1ortant

a(ri*ultural a*ti%ities. t a**ounts o%er t,o=t+irds o' t+e (ross %alue o' a(ri*ultural 1rodu*tion. !2

T+is means " million 1ersons em1lo&ed in t+e *ulti%ation o' *orn# or more t+an J o' a(ri*ultural labor 'or*e# su11ortin( ! million 1eo1le.!" T+e most re*ent numbers a%ailable s+o,

t+at in t+e 1eriod bet,een 2F and 2!# Me0i*o 1rodu*ed an a%era(e o' 22.H million metri*

tons mtB o' maize.!

. Liberalization o' a(ri*ulture- *auses and *onse9uen*es

T+e de*ade o' t+e Gs ,as one o' 1oliti*al and e*onomi*al *+an(es in Me0i*o. )in*e t+e

s# neoliberal ideas ins1ired stru*tural *+an(es to a*+ie%e de%elo1ment. T+ese re'orms started

in !G2 ,it+ President Mi(uel de la Madrid# ,it+ t+e (oal o' ma*roe*onomi* stabilization and

e0ternal debt im1ro%ement t+rou(+ redu*tion o' (o%ernment s1endin( and one=time de%aluation

o' t+e 1eso.!I T+e Constitution ,as amended ,it+ t+e 1ur1ose to re*o(nize in its arti*le 2I t+e

role o' t+e )tate in e*onomi* matters ,it+ t+e 1ur1ose to a*+ie%e e*onomi* (ro,t+ and

de%elo1ment# a 'air distribution o' in*ome and ,ealt+# and t+e 'ull en;o&ment o' 'reedom and

G ALEANDRO NADAL# Mexican "orn% -enetic 0aria$ility and rade #i$eralization ! une 2B! TMOT A. W)E# Policy Space for Mexican Maize% Protecting Agro&$iodiversity $y Promoting 1ural #ivelihoods !=2 7lobal De%elo1ment and En%ironment nstitute 2HB!! *d( at !8 )ee supra note G.!2 )ee supra note .!" *d( ! )ee supra note ".!I MAN$EL PA)TOR AND CAROL W)E# State Policy, 2istri$ution and Neoli$eral 1eform in Mexico 2! O$RNAL O LATN AMERCAN )T$DE)# Vol. 2G# No. 2 !GGHB.


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di(nit&.!F T+e re'orm also ur(ed t+e (o%ernment to *reate t+e ade9uate *onditions 'or t+e

un'oldment o' t+e 1ri%ate se*tor t+at ,ould +el1 t+e national e*onomi* de%elo1ment.!H To

su**eed in t+e mentioned ob;e*ti%e# t+e E0e*uti%e ,as em1o,ered to desi(n and im1lement a

s&stem 'or a national de%elo1mental 1lan and t+e ne*essar& 1oli*ies. ! Re(ardin( international

matters# ne(otiations to enter into t+e 7eneral A(reement on Trade and Tari''s 7ATTB started !G

and it ,as 'inall& si(ned in !GF.2 T+is led to ne, trade 1oli*ies su*+ as elimination o' non=

tari'' barriers as *ontrols and im1ort li*enses and redu*tion o' tari''s.2!

T+e administration o' President Carlos )alinas !G=!GGB *ontinued ,it+ t+e

1ri%atization o' state enter1rises and 1re%iousl& nationalized ban/s# and liberalization o'

domesti* 1ri*es# 'orei(n trade and in%estment.22 . Times# No%ember 2F# !GI# a%ailable at+tt1-,,,.n&times.*om!GI!!2Fbusinessme0i*o=and=(att.+tml. 2 WTO. he 46; countries that had signed -A $y 4==> . Last %isited on Ma& !!# 2!2B+tt1-,,,.,to.or(en(lis+t+e,toe(attmeme.+tm 2! TM O)LN7# !l #" y los cam$ios de pol+tica en M?xico NATA and t+e 1oliti*al *+an(es in MQ0i*oB 2HE*onoma Me0i*ana une !GG"B22 DANEL LEDERMAN# WLLAM . MALONE> AND L$) )ERVEN# #essons from NA)A for #atin America and the"ari$$ean "ountries% A Summary of 1esearch )indings 22 World ?an/ 2"B2" *d( at GI.

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lands ,as eliminated in !GG2# in order to allo, t+e 1ri%atization o' t+ose lands a'ter a %otin(

'rom t+e o,ners.2

$ntil t+at moment# t+e National Com1an& o' Po1ular )ubsisten*e CONA)$POB ,as t+e

ma;or state enter1rise in *+ar(e o' a(ri*ultural 1ri*e su11orts. Durin( t+e 'irst t,o &ears o'

)alinas4 administration t+e subsidies 1re%iousl& (i%en 'or ,+eat bread *+an(ed to maize tortillas.


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,it+ international 1ri*es at t+e end o' t+e transition 1eriod."! ?ut an& o' t+ese TRKs ,ere

en'or*ed b& t+e Me0i*an (o%ernment# *laimin( 1rodu*tion s+ort'alls and in'lationar& 1ressures.

or instan*e# in !GGF# !GG and !GGG bet,een I and F million tons o' maize ,ere im1orted 1er

&ear ,it+out an& tari''."2 t is belie%ed t+at t+e la*/ o' en'or*ement o' t+e TRKs destro&ed t+e

little stru*ture le't 'or t+e transition 1eriod 'or maize and in*reased t+e e*onomi* 1ressure 'or

Me0i*an maize 1rodu*ers.""

A'ter t+e entr& into 'or*e o' NATA# Me0i*an maize 1rodu*tion +as in*reased IJ#

mu*+ to t+e sur1rise o' man& obser%ers"# and des1ite man& ot+er 'a*tors t+at ,ill be e01lained

belo,# as t+e in*rease o' im1orts 'rom t+e $.).# and t+e dro1 in real 1ri*es in Me0i*o be*ause o'

t+e dum1in( $.). 1ra*ti*es. ?ut in ot+er +and# t+e 3im1ort de1enden*e 'or maize (re, 'rom HJ

in t+e earl& !GGs to "J in re*ent &ears 2F=B.5"I

Maize im1orts 'rom $.). ,ere not si(ni'i*ant be'ore NATA entered into 'or*e. $.).

e01orts re1resented onl& .J o' $.). 1rodu*tion."F T+e& a**ounted an a%era(e o' !.F million

tons to F." million tons 1er &ear bet,een !GG! and !GG". ?ut sin*e !GGF# e01orts +ad a%era(ed

around I million tons# re1resentin( an in*rease o' "2"J 'rom t+e 1re=NATA 1eriod."H More

re*entl in 2!!# to ! million tons o' maize +ad to be im1orted. " n total# $.). e01orts to

Me0i*o raised to 2.!J 'rom total $.). maize 1rodu*tion."G n monetar& terms# Me0i*o4s total

'ood im1ort bill 'rom t+e $.). in !GG ,as S2.F billion. ?& 2 it (re, to SF. billion and to

S!. billion in 2!!.

Des1ite t+e 'a*t t+at Me0i*an neoliberal 1oli*ies ,ere one o' t+e main 'a*tors o' t+e

dramati* in*rease on maize im1orts# $.). a(ri*ultural 1oli*ies +ad also a ma;or in'luen*e in

"! )ee supra note G at ."2 *d( "" *d( " )ee supra note " at 2."I )ee supra note " at ."F )ee supra note at F."H )ee supra note at I." )ee supra note " at I."G )ee supra note at H. )ee supra note " at I.

H


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Me0i*o. $.). e01ort subsidies resultin( in dum1in( 1ra*ti*es +a%e been a /e& 'a*tor to determine

t+e 1ri*es o' maize 1rodu*tion and t+e amount o' im1orts.

Produ*tion subsidies to 'armers are t+e most /no,n 1oli*& a''e*tin( trade# but as

Timot+& A. Wise a''irms $.). 'arm 1oli*ies are 'ar more *om1le0. !


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e0ists# is less t+an t+e +i(+est *om1arable 1ri*e 'or t+e li/e 1rodu*t 'or e01ort in an& t+ird

*ountr or less t+an t+e *ost o' 1rodu*tion in t+e *ountr& o' ori(in 1lus a reasonable addition 'or

sellin( *ost and 1ro'it.

Contra*tin( 1arties o' t+e World Trade Or(anization WTOB re*o(nize t+at dum1in(

*ould *ause or t+reaten material in;ur& to an industr& or materiall& retard t+e establis+ment o' a

domesti* industr&. T+us# t+e& +a%e t+e ri(+t to unilaterall& im1ose anti=dum1in( duties on t+e

dum1ed 1rodu*t onl& in t+e amount o' t+e dum1in( mar(in# in order to o''set or 1re%ent t+at

1ra*ti*e. n t+e same ,a arti*le !G2 o' NATA re*o(nizes t+e ri(+t o' ea*+ Part& to a11l&

antidum1in( and *ounter%ailin( dut& la, to (oods im1orted 'rom t+e territor& o' anot+er Part&. t

*an in*lude statutes# le(islati%e +istor re(ulations# administrati%e 1ra*ti*e and ;udi*ial

1re*edents.

7enerall a(ri*ultural dum1in( on ,orld mar/ets +as serious e''e*ts on de%elo1in(

*ountries- under*uts domesti* 1rodu*tion8 de*reases mar/et 1ri*es 'or a(ri*ultural *ommodities8

de1resses domesti* 'ood 1ri*es due to t+e a%ailabilit& o' *+ea1 im1orted 'ood8 and redu*es

in*enti%es to in%est in a(ri*ulture. T+e 'ore(oin( in*reases 'ood inse*urit lo,ers lo*al 'armers

in*ome and redu*es e01ort earnin(s. T+e t,o main e''e*ts o' e01orts at lo,er 1ri*es o'

1rodu*tion *osts enterin( to Me0i*o are t+e dis1la*ement o' demand 'or domesti* 'arm 1rodu*ts

and t+e de*line o' domesti* 'arm 1ri*es# redu*in( re*ei1ts to 'armers. I

Dum1in( +as been *ostl& to Me0i*an 1rodu*ers. T+e le%els o' dum1in( are e01ressed b&

t+e dum1in( mar(in# ,+i*+ is 3t+e 1er*enta(e b& ,+i*+ e01ort 1ri*es are belo, 1rodu*tion

*osts.5F T+e dum1in( mar(in bet,een !GGH and 2I +as been o' !GJ. n t+e 1eriod bet,een

!GG and !GG2# t+e total number o' $.). maize e01orts to Me0i*o ,as around 2 million mt#

,+ile in t+e 1eriod bet,een 2F and 2 it ,as abo%e ! million mt# re1resentin( a (ro,t+ o'

!"J. Wit+ t+e im1orts in*rease# real 1rodu*er 1ri*es dro11ed in FFJ 'rom t+e 1re=NATA

1eriod to 2I. n t+e same 1eriod# im1ort de1enden*& in*reased 'rom HJ to "J# des1ite t+e

EVN WATN)# )ree rade and )arm )allacies% )rom the 'ruguay 1ound to the @orld )ood Summit # 2I=2FT+e E*olo(ist !GGFB.I )ee supra note at !.F *d( at ".

G


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IJ in*rease in Me0i*an maize 1rodu*tion. Me0i*an 1rodu*ers lost about SF.I billion 'rom

!GGH to 2I# an a%era(e o' SGG 1er +e*tare 1er &ear# S" 1er ton. T+e losses 1er +e*tare 'or

most &ears ,ere bet,een SI and S!# but in !GG"# !GGG# and 2# losses e0*eeded S!HI 1er

+e*tare.H

Re*ent res1onses to t+e maize *risis

As it +as been e01lained# liberalization o' maize a(ri*ulture sin*e t+e entr& into 'or*e o'

NATA in !GG +as *reated not onl& 1rodu*tion s+orta(e 'or t+e in*reasin( demand# but also

de1enden*& on $.). im1orts# t+at *ould result in 'ood inse*urit&. )e%eral 1oli*ies +a%e been

ado1ted be'ore# but none o' t+em +a%e +ad t+e e01e*ted results. As 1art o' t+eir *onstitutional

and le(al obli(ations# t+e E0e*uti%e and Le(islati%e bran*+es s+all ado1t all t+e a11ro1riatemeasures not onl& to a*+ie%e de%elo1ment and e*onomi* (ro,t+ in abstra*t terms re'le*ted in

indi*ators# but also to *reate t+e 1ro1er *onditions 'or maize 1rodu*tion in a ,a& *om1atible ,it+

t+e en%ironment and ot+er so*ial and *ultural *on*erns.

n t+e 'ollo,in( se*tions# t+e most re*ent le(al and 1oli*& measures : t+e )ustainable

Modernization o' Traditional A(ri*ulture Pro(ram# t+e introdu*tion o' trans(eni* *ro1s# and t+e

)trate(i* Pro;e*t 'or ield Maize : ,ill be des*ribed and assessed. )ome o' t+em are a

*ontinuation o' 1re%ious ideas# ,+ile ot+ers are a *o1& o' ot+er *ountries a(ri*ultural 1oli*ies.

All o' t+em are tr&in( to res1ond to e*onomi*al and so*ial *on*erns su*+ as redu*tion o'

de1enden*& 'rom $.). im1orts and 'ood se*urit in*rease o' 1rodu*ti%it modernization o'

a(ri*ulture# and 1o%ert& alle%iation in t+e Me0i*an *ountr&side.

A. T+e )ustainable Modernization o' Traditional A(ri*ulture Pro(ram MasA(roB

T+is 1ro;e*t ,as laun*+ed in 2! b& a 1artners+i1 bet,een t+e ederal 7o%ernment#

t+rou(+ t+e Ministr& o' A(ri*ulture# Li%esto*/# Rural De%elo1ment# is+eries and ood

)A7ARPAB and t+e nternational Maize and W+eat m1ro%ement Center CMM>TB. T+is

1ubli*=1ri%ate allian*e is intended to +el1 small=s*ale 'armers to a**ess to modern a(ri*ultural

H )ee supra note at 22.

!


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te*+nolo(ies and 'un*tional mar/ets# and to in*rease t+eir 1rodu*ti%it& in a sustainable ,a&.

Wit+ t+ese# t+e& ,ill also be +el1in( t+e national e*onom b& *ontributin( to t+e (rain su11l&

and +el1in( to redu*e im1orts.

T+e Me0i*an (o%ernment *ommitted to in%est S!" million to raise t+e annual maize

1rodu*tion b& I to G million tons in rain='ed areas durin( t+e ! &ears o' t+e 1ro(ram. A**ordin(

to t+e Pro(ram A*ti%ities Re1ort 2!!=2!2# t+e bud(et a11ro%ed b& t+e Me0i*an Con(ress 'or

t+e 1eriod o' O*tober:De*ember 2! ,as S"### ,+ile in 2!! t+is total rose to

S2#"!#I# and in 2!2 ,as S2#HH#HG# brin(in( t+e total to SI2#G#"HG. G

n order to a*+ie%e t+e 1ro(ram (oal# 'armers ,ill +a%e a**ess to te*+nolo(& and e01ert

ad%i*e to address serious en%ironmental *+allen(es# su*+ as soil de(radation# ,ater s*ar*it andina11ro1riate 'ertilizer use# *urrentl& a''e*tin( t+eir &ields. T+ree o' its 'our *om1onents are

a11li*able to t+e maize se*tor. T+e 'irst one# named 3Ta/e t to t+e armer5 *onsists on a

*ollaborati%e 1artners+i1 bet,een t+e 'armers and 1ubli* and 1ri%ate or(anizations# to in*rease

t+eir 1rodu*ti%it 3obtain +i(+er return on &ields# and stren(t+en lo*al small and medium=sized

a(robusiness si*B.5I t 'o*uses on trainin( t+e 'armers to (ro, im1ro%ed seeds# to a11l&

1re*ision 'armin( and *onser%ation a(ri*ulture to 1reser%e ,ater and soil nutrients# and to a**ess

mar/et in'ormation %ia *ell 1+ones. T+e se*ond one# t+e nternational )trate(& to Raise Maize

>ields# 'o*uses on t+e +el1 'rom t+e 1arti*i1atin( or(anizations to 1ro%ide t+e 1rodu*ers di%erse

maize %arieties and +&brids at a''ordable 1ri*es. T+is *om1onent also loo/s to (i%e a**ess to t+e

lo*al breeders to e0istin( te*+nolo(& to de%elo1 and distribute %arieties ,it+ +i(+er &ield.

inall t+rou(+ 3)eeds o' Dis*o%er&5 t+e CMM>T ,ill stud& and *lassi'& t+e (eneti* di%ersit&

in its (eneban/ and in ot+er *olle*tions in Me0i*o# and ,ill 1ublis+ t+e results so breeders and

resear*+ers ,orld,ide *ould a**ess to t+em.

Di''erent 1roblems arise 'rom t+is 1oli*&. n 'irst 1la*e# t+e in'ormation a%ailable about

t+e 1ro;e*t is limited. T+e onl& *on*rete in'ormation t+at *an be 'ound is t+e ,ebsite and t+e

MA)A7RO# Kuestions and Ans,ers Last %isited on Ma& !2# 2!"B +tt1-masa(ro.m0inde0.1+1en9uestions=and=ans,ers G MA)A7RO. Program Activities 1eport 644&646 2!"BI )ee supra note H.

!!

http://masagro.mx/index.php/en/questions-and-answershttp://masagro.mx/index.php/en/questions-and-answershttp://masagro.mx/index.php/en/questions-and-answershttp://masagro.mx/index.php/en/questions-and-answershttp://masagro.mx/index.php/en/questions-and-answers


12/21

bro*+ure o' t+e 1ro(ram.I! E%en t+ou(+ t+e Constitution and t+e 'ederal re(ulations aut+orize t+e

E0e*uti%e to desi(n s1e*ial 1ro(rams 'or t+e e*onomi* de%elo1ment# es1e*iall& )A7ARPA 'or

a(ri*ultureI2# t+eir e0e*ution s+ould +a%e as basis , inter alia# s1e*i'i* re(ulations# (uidelines# and

o1erati%e rules. T+ese instruments s+ould be 1ubli* and released in t+e O''i*ial ederal Dail&

7azette# a**ordin( to trans1aren*& obli(ations 'or t+e 'ederal administration. I" $ntil t+e date t+is

1a1er ,as ,ritten# no instrument 'or t+e e0e*ution and im1lementation o' t+e 1ro(ram +as been

1ublis+ed. T+is *ould e%entuall& im1a*t on t+e trans1aren*& in t+e im1lementation o' t+e 1ro;e*t#

arisin( 9uestions about ,+o is re*ei%in( t+e 'unds# ,+at /ind o' im1ro%ed seeds are (i%en to t+e

'armers# ,+o are t+e e01erts trainin( t+e 'armers# et*.

La*/ o' trans1aren*& mi(+t also result on arbitrar& de*ision ma/in( 'or t+e 'armers

1arti*i1atin( in t+e 1ro(ram. t is a notorious 'a*t t+at t+e 1o,er'ul 'armers asso*iations li/e t+e National armers Con'ederation CNCB and t+e National Con'ederation o' Corn armers o'

Me0i*o +a%e been +istori*all& ali(ned ,it+ t+e (o%ernment and t+e ri(+t ,in( nstitutional

Re%olutionar& Part& PRB.I Ot+er asso*iations li/e National Asso*iation o' Commer*ial

Enter1rises ANECB +a%e been se%erel& *riti*al ,it+ t+e (o%ernmental 1oli*ies. No, t+at t+e

PR is a(ain in t+e 1o,er# o''i*ials mi(+t +a%e to return 1oliti*al 'a%ors II to t+e ali(ned

asso*iations# (i%in( 1riorit& to t+em 'or t+is 1ro(ram and bene'itin( t+e bi( 1rodu*ers instead o'

t+e small=s*ale 1rodu*ers. A similar situation +a11ened ,it+ PROCAMPO and it is *onsidered as

one o' t+e reasons o' its 'ailure.IF

I! )ee +tt1-masa(ro.m0inde0.1+1en.I2 )ee Arti*le 2I o' t+e Politi*al Constitution o' t+e $nited Me0i*an )tates# arti*les and !F o' t+e Plannin( A*t#and arti*le "I o' t+e Or(ani* A*t o' t+e ederal Publi* Administration.I" )ee Arti*le F o' t+e Constitution and t+e ederal La, on Trans1aren*& and A**ess to t+e Publi* 7o%ernmentaln'ormation.

I or instan*e# in t+e


13/21

Anot+er 9uestion arisin( 'rom t+e la*/ o' trans1aren*& is ,+o is 'undin( t+e 1ro;e*t.

Me0i*an (o%ernment +as been (i%in( t+e 'unds# but it +as been said t+at ot+er donors ,ill be

needed to *o%er all t+e as1e*ts o' t+e 1ro(ram. t ,as announ*ed on ebruar& o' t+is &ear t+at t+e

?ill and Melinda 7ates oundation as ,ell as t+e Carlos )lim oundation donated 'unds 'or a

resear*+ *om1le0.IH T+is 'a*t is *ontro%ersial sin*e ?ill 7ates is a s+are+older o' Monsanto I# and

t+e 1romoted maize seeds 'or 'armers mi(+t be (eneti*all& modi'ied. T+e CMM>T +as

1re%iousl& ,or/ed ,it+ Monsanto in Me0i*o in its Conser%ation A(ri*ultural Pro(ramIG and in

A'ri*a to de%elo1# test and disseminate drou(+t=tolerant maize.F t is lo(i* to e01e*t t+at

e%entuall& Monsanto ,ill tr& to 1romote t+eir seeds ,it+ t+e (o%ernmental su11ort.

n relation ,it+ t+is *ontro%ers it is not *lear ,+i*+ are t+e more t+an ! entities

1arti*i1atin( in t+e 1ro;e*t. n t+e 1ro(ram ,ebsite# onl& I entities are listed F!# in*ludin( 1ubli*uni%ersities 1re%iousl& 9uestioned about t+eir su11ort to Monsanto and t+e introdu*tion o'

(eneti*all& modi'ied maize# li/e t+e Antonio Narro A(rarian $ni%ersit&.F2 t is also un/no,n +o,

t+e& ,ill 1arti*i1ate and t+eir de(ree o' in%ol%ement.

inall all t+e 1oli*& desi(n is based on t+e 1remise t+at traditional 1ra*ti*es +a%e lo,

1rodu*ti%it& ,+ile industrial a(ri*ultural 1ra*ti*es +a%e (reater results. t +as been re*o(nize t+at

traditional and indi(enous s&stems are 1rodu*ti%e and ener(& e''i*ient. n t+e Is# 3t+e

chinampas s&stem in Mexico yielded 3.5-6.3 tons of maize per hectare, while at

the time the United States was producing only .6 mt!ha."63 Re*ent numbers do

IH MA)A7RO# "arlos Slim, Cill -ates and Mexican dignataries visit "*MMD to inagurate Cioscience facilities Last %isited on Ma& !# 2!"B A%ailable at +tt1-masa(ro.m0inde0.1+1en2!2=F=2!=!H=H=IGbulletinsGF=*arlos=slim=bill=(ates=and=me0i*an=di(nitaries=%isit=*imm&t=to=inau(urate=bios*ien*e='a*ilitiesI O


14/21

not su11ort t+e assum1tion# sin*e F.I o' t+e million +e*tares 1lanted ,it+ maize are 'armed

usin( traditional met+ods and ,it+out irri(ation. T+ese met+ods +a%e s+o,n to 1rodu*e 2 to

FJ more o' o#erall har#esta$le product than monoculture systems.6%

?. ntrodu*tion o' Trans(eni* Cro1s

W+en t+e 'irst trials re(ardin( (eneti*all& modi'ied or(anisms 7MOsB ,ere done in

!GGF b& t+e nternational Maize and W+eat m1ro%ement Center# b& Monsanto and Pioneer in

!GGH# and b& Do,# Pioneer and Monsanto in 2IFI# no s1e*i'i* biosa'et& re(ulations e0isted.

T+e& ,ere aut+orized under t+e inter1retation o' t+e 7eneral OLANDA CR)TNA MA))E$ TR7O# M?xico y su necesaria ley de $ioseguridad% intereses económico&pol+ticos

y movimiento social # Mexico and its necessary $iosafety laI% economial and politiclal interests and socialmovement B Estudios )o*iales# MQ0i*o# %. !# n. 2H une 2FBFH ACADEMA MEXCANA DE CENCA)# Ante*edentes# di'usiYn & 1ro*esos de *onsulta de la MinutaPro&e*to de Le& de ?iose(uridad de Or(anismos 7enQti*amente Modi'i*ados CacJground, dissemination andconsultation processes of the Cill on the Ciosafety Act of -enetically Modified rganismsB Last %isited on A1ril !!#2!"B A%ailable at +tt1-,,,.am*.edu.m0biote*nolo(ia(ru1os*alendario.+tm.

!

http://www.cibiogem.gob.mx/OGMs/Documents/Permisos-Ensayos-OGM-1988-2005.pdfhttp://www.cibiogem.gob.mx/OGMs/Documents/Permisos-Ensayos-OGM-1988-2005.pdfhttp://www.cibiogem.gob.mx/OGMs/Documents/Permisos-Ensayos-OGM-1988-2005.pdfhttp://www.cibiogem.gob.mx/OGMs/Documents/Permisos-Ensayos-OGM-1988-2005.pdfhttp://www.amc.edu.mx/biotecnologia/grupos/calendario.htmhttp://www.amc.edu.mx/biotecnologia/grupos/calendario.htmhttp://www.cibiogem.gob.mx/OGMs/Documents/Permisos-Ensayos-OGM-1988-2005.pdfhttp://www.cibiogem.gob.mx/OGMs/Documents/Permisos-Ensayos-OGM-1988-2005.pdfhttp://www.amc.edu.mx/biotecnologia/grupos/calendario.htm


15/21

On*e submitted t+e initiati%e in t+e


16/21

modi'ied maize8 and eB t+e obli(ation to ado1t measures to eliminate# *ontrol or miti(ate t+e

1resen*e o' modi'ied maize ,+ere it is 1ro+ibited.

n addition# on No%ember !H# 2!!# )A7ARPA and Ministr& o' En%ironment and Natural

Resour*es )EMARNATB 1ublis+ed a dra't o' t+e ZAdministrati%e de*ision t+at identi'ies t+e

*enters o' ori(in and (eneti* di%ersit& *enters o' maize in national territor&5# a**ordin( t+e

?iosa'et& A*t# in order to 1ro+ibit t+e liberation o' trans(eni* maize in areas ,+ere it *annot

*oe0ist ,it+ nati%e and *reole s1e*ies. t ,as *riti*ized 'or e0*ludin( areas ,+ere indi(enous

1eo1les domesti*ated maize# 'or not ta/in( into a**ount t+e t&1e o' 1ollination and seed

e0*+an(e# and 'or allo,in( t+e *ulti%ation o' (eneti*all& modi'ied *ro1s in areas ,+ere 2G o' t+e

IG e0istin( ra*es o' maize are lo*ated.FG Des1ite t+at# on No%ember 2# 2!2 t+e Administrati%e

de*ision ,as 1ublis+ed ,it+out ta/in( into a**ount t+ose *riti*s# and in t+e *onte0t o' t+e*onsultation 1ro*ess 'or t+e 'irst re9uests 'or liberation o' (eneti*all& modi'ied maize in

*ommer*ial sta(e.

n (eneral terms# t+e A*t does not address t+e 1roblems t+at it is su11osed to. Moreo%er#

t+e inter1retation o' t+e administrati%e aut+orities to en'or*e t+e A*t 1romotes t+e introdu*tion o'

7MOs. One e0am1le is t+e in*rease o' re9uest 'or 1ermits sin*e t+e ena*tment o' t+e la,. n

2I )A7ARPA re*ei%ed onl& H re9uests 'or liberation o' (eneti*all& modi'ied maize in

e01erimental 1+ase in an area o' ."F a*res in t+e states o' )onora# )inaloa and Tamauli1as#

,+ile in 2!! *om1anies re9uested 1ermissions 'or t+e same sta(e in an area o' .IHH2 a*res

in t+e states o' Tamauli1as# Na&arit# )onora# )inaloa and ?a;a Cali'ornia )ur. All o' t+ose

re9uests ,ere (ranted.H

Wit+ t+e ne, 'ederal administration# 7MOs are also 1romoted t+ou(+ e*onomi*al

in*enti%es. Re*entl t+e Com1onent o' A(ri*ultural 7eneti* Resour*es o' t+e Pro(ram 'or

n%estment in E9ui1ment and n'rastru*ture ,as laun*+ed b& )A7ARPA.H! T+is 1ro(ram aims to

FG A NA DE TA# 1eservaciones de ma+z% los centros de origen y diversidad GMaize reservations% centers of originand diversityH, La ornada# De*ember # 2!!. A%ailable at +tt1-,,,.;ornada.unam.m02!!!2inde0.1+1Use*tiono1inionarti*le2a!e*o1artnerrss H n'ormation about all t+e 1ermits is a%ailable in C?O7EM# National 1egistry of -enetically Modifiedrganisms Last %isited on Ma& !!# 2!"B +tt1-,,,.*ibio(em.(ob.m0O7MsPa(inasPermisos.as10H! +tt1-,,,.sa(ar1a.(ob.m0a(ri*ulturaPa(inasRe*ursos=7enQti*os=2!".as10

!F

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17/21

1romote t+e *onser%ation# *+ara*terization# e%aluation# %alidation# re1rodu*tion and sustainable

use o' a(ri*ultural (eneti* di%ersit& e0istin( in t+e *ountr&. armers ,illin( to de%elo1 1ro;e*ts

'or e%aluatin( t+e im1a*ts o' (eneti* resour*es in 7MOs *an a11l& 'or 'unds to *o%er t+e total

*ost o' t+e 1ro;e*t# i' it does not e0*eed S2#I.H2

T+e 1rin*i1al ar(ument o' aut+orities to 1romote t+e use o' 7MOs is t+at t+e &ields ,ill

in*rease. T+e stud& 3ailure to >ield- E%aluatin( t+e Per'orman*e o' 7eneti*all& En(ineered

Cro1s5 o' t+e $nion o' Con*ern )*ientists o' t+e $.). +as s+o,n t+at t+e 1romise o' more

1rodu*ti%it& does not be*ome true.H" T+e& 'ound t+at none o' t+e *urrent trans(eni* %arieties

en+an*e t+e intrinsi* &ield : t+e +i(+est &ield t+at *an be a*+ie%ed ,+en *ro1s are (ro,n under

ideal *onditions : o' an& *ro1# in*ludin( maize. Wit+ t+e best data a%ailable# t+e& *on*luded t+at

t+at trans(eni* +erbi*ide=tolerant maize +as not in*reased o1erational &ields = under 'ield*onditions# *onsiderabl& less t+an ideal : on a 1er=a*re or national basis# *om1ared to

*on%entional met+ods. inall t+e& *on'irm t+at t+e in*rease in maize &ields in t+e $.). must be

due to 'a*tors as *on%entional breedin(# and lar(er and lon(er *ro1 rotations. T+ese results ma&

be used to *ounterbalan*e t+e (o%ernmental 1oli*ies and to 1romote ot+er solutions 'or t+e

*ountr&side.

T+e (o%ernment +as also ar(ued t+at 7MOs are en%ironmental 'riendl&. ?& ma/in( t+e

seeds tolerant to +erbi*ides# 'armers *an use less 1esti*ides and +erbi*ides to 1rote*t t+eir *ro1s

a(ainst ,eeds. T+is de*laration is true ,+en 'armers start usin( 7MOs# but ,it+ time# t+e ,eeds

be*ome resistant to +erbi*ides# so t+e& in*rease dramati*all& t+e amount o' 1esti*ide and

+erbi*ide used. Wit+ sin(le 1rodu*t *ulti%ations# 'armers use industrial te*+ni9ues to a11l& t+e

+erbi*ides b& s1ra&in( t+em. n a s+ort term# t+is met+od a11ears to ,or/# but ,+en t+e

*+emi*als are e01osed *onstantl& in a *ertain 1la*e# t+e& *an a''e*t ot+er s1e*ies and +uman

+ealt+.H

H2 T+is amount is about t+e e9ui%alent o' ! million Me0i*an 1esos.H" DO$7 7$RAN=)


18/21

Ot+er so*ial and *ultural ar(uments a(ainst (eneti*all& modi'ied maize +a%e been

addressed. Traditional# indi(enous and tribal /no,led(e ma& be diminis+ed ,it+ t+e 'or*ed

introdu*tion o' ne, te*+nolo(&. Wit+ t+e natural 1ro*ess o' breedin( and (eneti* e0*+an(e

bet,een seeds t+rou(+ 1ollination# t+e %arious s1e*ies o' maize 'or *onsum1tion are in ris/ to

disa11ear irre%o*abl& i' t+e& *oe0ist ,it+ (eneti*all& modi'ied maize in t+e same e*os&stem.

)in*e 7MOs are 1atented# t+e 1rodu*in( *om1anies *an sue 'armers i' t+e& use t+e seeds 'or

more t+an one a(ri*ultural *&*leHI# and e%en i' t+e& did not bu& t+eir seeds but t+eir *ro1s ,ere

a**identall& 1olluted. n a lon( term# t+ese *om1anies ma& a*9uire t+e mono1ol& o' t+e seeds

and t+e 'ood s&stem.HF

n t+e s+ort term# t+e introdu*tion o' (eneti*all& modi'ied maize *ould be *ostl& 'or

Me0i*an 'armers and 1easants. n order to transit 'rom traditional te*+ni9ues to industrialte*+ni9ues# t+e& s+ould in%est in t+e te*+nolo(& needed su*+ as tru*/s# ma*+iner seeds# ne,

1esti*ides and +erbi*ides# et*. Most o' t+e small=s*ale 'armers do not +a%e t+e resour*es to *o%er

t+ose *osts and t+e& do not +a%e a**ess to *redits. n t+e lon( term# t+e de1enden*& is trans'erred

'rom t+e (o%ernment to 'armers and 1easants. nstead o' de1endin( on $.). maize 1rodu*ers#

'armers and 1easants ,ill de1end on t+e biote*+nolo(& *om1anies to bu& t+eir seeds and related

1rodu*ts. T+e *osts are not lon(er a burden 'or t+e (o%ernment# but 'or t+e Me0i*an 1rodu*ers.

At t+e end# t+e 1ossible solution 'or t+e *urrent 1roblem ,ill *reate ot+er 1roblems.

C. T+e )trate(i* Pro;e*t 'or ield Maize PROEMARB

m1lemented in 2G# t+e )trate(i* Pro;e*t 'or ield Maize PROEMARBHH ,as

tar(eted 'or maize 1rodu*er or(anizations o' t+e areas o' +i(+ 1rodu*ti%it& in t+e states o'

Cam1e*+e# C+ia1as# 7uana;uato# alis*o# Mi*+oa*an and Na&arit. t is 1art o' t+e Pro(ram 'or

Maize and ?eans PROMAB# ,+i*+ im1lements te*+nolo(ies su*+ as in*reased 1lantin(

densit im1ro%ed seed use# and bio='ertilizers and +ad a*+ie%ed an in*rease o' maize 1rodu*tion

HI T+is +ad +a11ened be'ore mainl& in Canada and in t+e $.).# 'or e0am1le# in t+e *ase o' Per*& )*+meiser."anada 1ules in )avor of Monsanto over Seed Saving )armer Percy Schmeiser # Or(ani* Consumers Asso*iationMa. 2!# 2B Last %isited on Ma& # 2!"B A%ailable at +tt1-,,,.or(ani**onsumers.or((es*+meiser.*'m HF or more on t+e to1i*# see VANDANA )


19/21

b& "." million tons bet,een 2H and 2G# ,+i*+ re1resents a "IJ in*rease in a%era(e &ields o'

maize.H

T+e (eneral ob;e*ti%e o' PROEMAR is to 1romote substantial in*reases in maize

1rodu*tion and 1ro'it# b& trainin( s1e*ialists in +i(+=&ield a(ri*ulture# a(ri*ultural dia(nosti*s#

'ormulation o' *om1re+ensi%e 1rodu*ti%e 1ro(rams and inte(ral ser%i*es o' te*+ni*al assistan*e#

in order to re1li*ate t+e te*+nolo(& amon( maize 1rodu*ers# to a*+ie%e +i(+er &ields on t+eir

*ro1s and redu*e *osts 1er ton 1rodu*ed# to in*rease t+eir 1rodu*ti%it& and 1ro'itabilit&.

T+e resour*es 'or t+is 1ro(ram# a**ordin( to t+e ederation E01enditure ?ud(et# +a%e

been (raduall& risin( sin*e 2!# ,+en t+e administrati%e bud(et ,as S2! million# to almost S2"

million 'or t+is &ear. ?ut t+e s1e*i'i* bud(et 'or t+e PROMA ,it+in t+e )1e*ial Con*urrentPro(ram 'or )ustainable Rural De%elo1ment 'or t+is &ear de*reased *om1ared to 2!!# ,+en it

,as SG".I# and remained t+e same as 2!2# ,+en it SF2.H.

T+e resour*es meant to be used to 1ro%ide trainin( *ourses 'or 1rodu*ers and te*+ni*ians

in +i(+=&ield a(ri*ulture# ,or/s+o1s 'or te*+nolo(i*al introdu*tion 'or 1rodu*ers# de%elo1in(

a(ri*ultural dia(nosti*s su11orted b& soil testin(# and *ounselin( 'rom s1e*ialized 'irms to

1rodu*ers and te*+ni*ians. Wit+ t+ese tools# 1rodu*ers and te*+ni*ians *ould multi1l& t+e

ado1ted +i(+ 1rodu*tion s*+emes amon( t+e 1arti*i1ants. Produ*ti%e *ro11in( 1lants ,ould be

ado1ted and s1e*i'i* te*+nolo(i* 1a*/a(es ,ould be im1lemented in 1ar*els ,it+ t+e su11ort o'

s1e*ialized and +i(+l& s1e*ialized te*+ni*al assistan*e.

$nli/e MasA(ro# t+is 1ro(ram +as its


20/21

T+e results o' t+is 1ro(ram ,ere 1ositi%e sin*e t+e &ields o' rain'ed land resulted in 2.I

tons 1er +e*tare ,it+ *osts lo,er t+an one +undred $)D# ma/in( 1ro'its e0*eedin( S2#F 1er

+e*tare. ern6ndez Turrent a''irms t+at t+is 1ro(ram 3+as demonstrated dramati* results ,+en

im1lemented in *on;un*tion ,it+ a stron(# a**ountable 'armer or(anization5# li/e t+e National

Asso*iation o' Commer*ial Enter1rises ANECB.HG T+is 1ro;e*t ,as im1lemented in a 1ilot

1+ase# ,or/in( ,it+ a11ro0imatel& 2 'armers in !I +e*tares o' land durin( t+ree &ears#

1ro%idin( 3te*+ni*al assistan*e and trained 'armer=e0tension s1e*ialists to im1lement lo,*ost

im1ro%ements in 'arm mana(ement# su*+ as soil anal&sis# seed treatment# *+an(e in densit& and

distribution o' 1lanted seeds# *alibration o' 1lanters# 'oliar anal&sis# and balan*ed 'ertilization.

ntrodu*in( ne, im1ro%ed seeds ,as not a si(ni'i*ant 1art o' t+e 1ro(ram.5

Alt+ou(+ t+is seems to be t+e most su**ess'ul 1ro(ram t+at +as a**om1lis+ed t+ein*rease in maize 1rodu*tion ,it+ reasonable 1ro'its# t+e a%ailable in'ormation about it is

modest. t +as not been as 1ubli*ized and 1us+ed b& t+e aut+orities as t+e 1re%ious e01lained

1oli*ies. A11arentl& t+ere are no 1lans 'rom t+e (o%ernment in t+e near 'uture to relaun*+ t+is

1ro(ram. Ma&be t+e 'armer asso*iations *ould im1lement a similar s*+eme in a minor s*ale#

,it+out ,aitin( 'or (o%ernmental su11ort.

Con*lusion

Me0i*o is 'a*in( a *om1le0 a(ri*ultural *risis re(ardin( maize. nternational mar/ets#

multilateral relations and internal 1oli*ies +a%e been t+e *auses o' t+is *risis. ?e'ore t+e

si(nature o' NATA and a'ter su''erin( t+e *onse9uen*es o' t+e liberalization o' a(ri*ulture#

Me0i*an (o%ernment +as tried to ena*t la,s and im1lement 1oli*ies to a**ess international

mar/ets in a *om1etiti%e manner and to alle%iate t+e ne(ati%e e''e*ts in domesti* 1rodu*tion. As

it +as been demonstrated# t+e ma;orit& +ad not s+o,n t+e e01e*ted results. n order to a*+ie%e

t+e (oals o' e*onomi* de%elo1ment and 'ood se*urit t+e 1oli*ies must be desi(ned di''erentl&.

n 'irst 1la*e# t+e& must +a%e *lear rules 'or t+e im1lementation# lea%in( no room 'or arbitrar&

de*isions. T+e& must also be trans1arent and a**essible 'or 'urt+er assessment and audits. Lon(=

HG )ee supra note " at 2I. T+e ANEC +as been su11orti%e o' t+e *am1ai(n 3)in maz no +a& 1as5 Wit+out Maize t+ere4s no *ountr&B# and+as *ontinuousl& o11osed to t+e introdu*tion o' 7MOs.

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term (oals and solutions must be 1rioritized# instead o' immediate and s+ort=term de*isions.

E%en i' ,e are 1art o' a (lobal e*onom e01ortation o' 1oli*ies im1lemented in 'orei(n

*ountries is undesirable# es1e*iall& be*ause o' t+e s1e*ial *+ara*teristi*s o' Me0i*an a(ri*ulture

and t+e intrinsi* im1ortan*e o' maize. inall t+e& must be inte(ral and *ross *uttin(# ta/in( into

*onsideration so*ial# *ultural# en%ironmental and e*onomi* im1a*ts.

Mexican Maize Production: Past, Present and Future

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Transcript of Mexican Maize Production: Past, Present and Future