Background on Julio Berdegué Sacristán and Relevance
Julio Berdegué Sacristán, the head of Mexico’s Secretaría de Agricultura y Desarrollo Rural (SADER), has become central to a heated dispute between farmers and the government. As the key figure in agricultural policy, his decisions directly impact farmers’ livelihoods and have sparked widespread protests.
Conflict Escalation and Protest Details
For the second consecutive day, farmers from various regions across Mexico have blocked more than 30 federal highways to demand that the federal government raise the guaranteed price of corn to 7,200 pesos per ton. This demand exceeds the current official price set by Berdegué Sacristán, which is 6,050 pesos per ton—a 25% increase over the international market price.
The protests began early Monday morning and continued on Tuesday, affecting traffic in states such as Guanajuato, Jalisco, Michoacán, Morelos, Baja California, and Sinaloa, according to the Secretaría de Infraestructura, Comunicaciones y Transportes (SICT).
- By 5:00 PM on Tuesday, local reports indicated blockages or demonstrator presence at 14 toll booths and 12 road segments.
- Among the affected locations are toll plazas like Tlalpan (Mexico-Cuernavaca), Puente Sinaloa, Santa Cecilia, El Arenal, and Plan de Ayala, as well as stretches such as Guadalajara-Tepic, Guadalajara-Barra de Navidad, Maravatío-Zapotlanejo, and the Guadalajara-Lagos de Moreno autopista.
- These protests have been reported in 17 states over the past two days.
Government Response and Farmer Demands
In response to the ongoing protests, Berdegué Sacristán met with governors from Guanajuato, Jalisco, and Michoacán—states significantly impacted by the dispute—along with the undersecretary of Interior, César Yánez. They discussed corn commercialization strategies.
By the time of publication, protests in Jalisco had been lifted.
Farmer Arguments and Key Demands
Farmers argue that the SADER-set price fails to cover sowing costs, fertilizers, and transportation expenses. They assert that the announced support scheme does not ensure profitability for their harvests.
“We will not lift the blockades until we are heard,” declared movement leaders, requesting direct dialogue with President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo.
Through signs and slogans, farmers claim that the difference between the official price and their demand “endangers the survival of thousands of rural families” and calls for an immediate review of the corn commercialization scheme.
SADER issued a statement confirming that, with federal and state support, a minimum price of 6,050 pesos per ton for white corn is guaranteed in Guanajuato, Jalisco, and Michoacán.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the current dispute about? Farmers are demanding an increased guaranteed price for corn, currently set at 6,050 pesos per ton by SADER’s Julio Berdegué Sacristán. They argue this price does not cover production costs and fails to ensure profitability.
- How are farmers protesting? Farmers have blocked over 30 federal highways for two consecutive days, affecting traffic in multiple states. They seek a price of 7,200 pesos per ton, which they believe is fair given high production costs.
- What has been the government’s response? Berdegué Sacristán met with state governors to discuss corn commercialization strategies. By publication, protests in Jalisco had been lifted.
- What do farmers claim is at risk? Farmers argue that the current price difference puts the survival of thousands of rural families at risk and demand an immediate review of corn commercialization.
