Mexico announces 'self-sufficiency' food plan

(CLO) On Tuesday, Mexico's new President Claudia Sheinba announced an agricultural plan that will likely return the country's food production and distribution to the way it was in the 1980s.

Four decades ago, Mexicans bought ingredients for their meals at state-run stores that supplied basic goods. Now, President Claudia Sheinbaum has pledged to revive them in a bid to achieve “food sovereignty .”

“We need to produce what we eat,” Sheinbaum said of her policy, which focuses on boosting bean and corn production.

A farmer grows black beans in Hidalgo state, Mexico. Photo: AP

Ms. Sheinbaum seems to be very focused on promoting bean consumption: “Eating a bean taco is much better than eating a bag of potato chips.”

Agriculture Minister Julio Berdegué said he would focus on stabilizing prices for corn farmers, while also cutting the price of tortillas (a local wheat pastry) by 10% after a period of sharp price increases.

The Mexican government also aims to increase bean production by about 30% within six years to limit imports. It will also establish research centers for new bean seeds with higher yields. “Self-sufficiency in beans is the goal that the President has entrusted to us,” said Minister Berdegué.

The government will also prioritize developing instant coffee production, a popular drink in 84% of Mexican households, and cocoa for everyday consumer products like pancake mix and hot chocolate, rather than premium products like chocolate bars.

However, some argue that this policy is going against market trends. Mexicans are increasingly shopping at large supermarkets and preferring fresh-ground coffee beans over instant coffee, along with the rapid growth of chain stores and specialty coffee chains.

Additionally, according to the "Agricultural Outlook 2024" report, bean consumption in Mexico has dropped sharply in recent decades, from 16 kg per person per year in 1980 to just 7.7 kg.

A worker packs tortillas at a factory in Mexico. Photo: AP

However, underestimating the nutritional value of beans, combined with their complex processing, is the main reason for the decline in consumption of this food, and that is a big mistake, says researcher Amanda Gálvez from the National University of Mexico.

Ms. Sheinbaum also wants to focus on self-sufficiency in oil, energy and food, a sentiment influenced by her predecessor and political mentor, former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador.

Mr. López Obrador also seemed to “evoke nostalgia” for Ms. Sheinbaum’s 1970s Mexico, including passenger rail service, state-owned industries and small shops.

The agricultural plan was released a day after Ms Sheinbaum announced a complete “junk food” ban on salty, fried, processed snacks, as well as sugary drinks and soft drinks in schools, which will begin within six months.

Ha Trang (according to AP)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/mexico-cong-bo-ke-hoach-luong-thuc-tu-cung-tu-cap-nhu-thoi-nhung-nam-1980-post318246.html