Facing Global Food Demand: The Role of Small Farmers
With a projected global population of 10 million by 2050, the demand for food is expected to rise by up to 60%, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). In this context, small farmers—who cultivate plots of less than 10 hectares and produce up to 80% of the food in regions like Asia and Africa—play a crucial role in ensuring food security and sustainable development.
Mexico is no exception. In its tropical and subtropical regions, where maize cultivation and beef cattle farming dominate, small producers face challenges such as water scarcity, rising costs, and low productivity. However, they are also key players in a transformation that combines innovation, training, and technology to revitalize rural areas.
Innovating for Sustenance and Prosperity
Recognizing this potential, companies like Bayer have invested in programs aimed at empowering small producers. The goal is to make rural farms more profitable, resilient, and sustainable.
One notable project is DKsilos, launched in 2016 to promote maize cultivation for low-cost, high-nutritional feed for beef cattle. Through this program, dairy farmers in eight Mexican and Central American states have learned to grow their own forage, reducing feeding costs and improving herd productivity.
A study by 60 Decibels in Mexico and Honduras highlights the program’s impact: 94% of producers reported improved ganado health and milk quality; 57% reduced feeding costs; 72% positively valued the technical accompaniment received; and 71% expressed increased confidence to invest in production. Moreover, 85% observed an increase in milk production, 86% increased income and adopted better management practices, and 90% actively participated in training.
The results are evident: over 9.5 billion pesos in collective savings since its launch. DKsilos also provides agronomic advice, technical training, and access to machinery in states like Yucatán, Veracruz, Campeche, Chiapas, Tabasco, Oaxaca, San Luis Potosí, and Nuevo León.
Cultivating Better Lives
Parallel to DKsilos, the Cultivando mejores vidas (Better Life Farming) program aims to build comprehensive agricultural ecosystems that provide agronomic solutions, market access, and business training.
With 68 active kiosks in Veracruz, Puebla, Chiapas, and Oaxaca, the initiative has benefited over 63,000 people in 404 communities by offering technical information, quality products, and commercialization opportunities. The model, integrating Bayer, IFC (International Finance Corporation), Netafim, and local partners, promotes financial inclusion, sustainable practices, and strengthens local value chains.
From the Field to the Community: Impact with Purpose
Beyond economic results, these initiatives reflect in the lives of rural families. When a farmer improves yields, they invest in education, infrastructure, and local employment, multiplying the benefits of agricultural innovation.
Today, amidst a global context demanding “more with less,” Mexican small farmers are vital for more efficient and sustainable agriculture. Programs like DKsilos and Cultivando mejores vidas demonstrate that the future of agriculture can be written from the smallest plots, with results transcending generations.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the global food demand projection by 2050? The FAO projects a 60% increase in global food demand by 2050.
- Who are small farmers, and why are they important? Small farmers cultivate plots of less than 10 hectares and produce up to 80% of the food in regions like Asia and Africa. They are crucial for ensuring food security and sustainable development.
- What challenges do Mexican small producers face? They encounter water scarcity, rising costs, and low productivity in regions dominated by maize cultivation and beef cattle farming.
- What are DKsilos and Cultivando mejores vidas programs? DKsilos promotes maize cultivation for low-cost, high-nutritional feed for beef cattle. Cultivando mejores vidas offers agronomic solutions, market access, and business training to build comprehensive agricultural ecosystems.
- What impact have these programs had on small producers? DKsilos has led to reduced feeding costs, improved herd health and milk quality, increased income, and better management practices. Cultivando mejores vidas has benefited over 63,000 people in 404 communities by offering technical information, quality products, and commercialization opportunities.
