Background on Puebla’s Agricultural Situation
Puebla, a state in Mexico, holds an impressive 600,000 hectares of arable land, yet it remains largely uncultivated due to the absence of reconversion projects, according to Carlos Enrique Martínez y Rivera, president of the Consejo Estatal Agropecuario (Ceagro).
The Role of Government and Sader
In an interview with El Economista, Martínez y Rivera expressed that Governor Alejandro Armenta Mier has good intentions for the agricultural sector, but the Secretaría de Agricultura y Desarrollo Rural (Sader) fails to collaborate effectively.
This lack of cooperation between the state government and Sader has caused Puebla to miss opportunities to become a significant supplier of products for local agroindustries, which currently rely on purchasing from other states.
Missed Opportunities and Local Examples
One example of this issue is the demand for 50,000 tonnes of jalapeño peppers by San Marcos and La Morena, two packing companies located in the San José Chiapa region, specifically in Nopalucan and Rafael Lara Grajales municipalities.
Despite favorable conditions and available land, Puebla does not produce any jalapeño peppers, which is a concern given the potential for growth in this sector.
Martínez y Rivera emphasized that Puebla’s agroindustries are willing to engage in contract farming to ensure income for producers, but the local agricultural authorities do not share this vision.
Additionally, he highlighted the problem of poor land division, which favors small-scale farming over large-scale cultivation. This approach hinders the generation of higher yields needed to supply local markets.
Ceagro’s Recommendations for Agricultural Growth
The Ceagro president stressed the importance of promoting the construction of greenhouses to improve crop quality, as seen in Jalisco and Nuevo León—states leading in agricultural production.
He mentioned that greenhouse construction initiatives from two sexenios ago failed due to the use of low-quality materials and corruption among those managing them.
Martínez y Rivera expressed Ceagro’s eagerness to collaborate with authorities, but emphasized the need for Sader personnel who understand agricultural needs and recognize growth opportunities.
He lamented that the outdated perspective of local authorities, viewing agriculture as insignificant and solely for self-consumption, hinders Puebla’s agricultural progress.
The president of Ceagro concluded that without fully utilizing the available land, Puebla’s agricultural sector will remain stagnant and fail to contribute meaningfully to food security.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the main issue in Puebla’s agricultural sector? The primary concern is the underutilization of 600,000 hectares of arable land due to the lack of reconversion projects and ineffective collaboration between state government and Sader.
- Why are Puebla’s agroindustries important? These industries require substantial quantities of agricultural products, currently sourced from other states, highlighting Puebla’s potential as a significant supplier.
- What are the challenges faced by Puebla’s agricultural sector? Poor land division, lack of greenhouse infrastructure, and outdated perspectives on agriculture from local authorities hinder growth and development.
- How can Puebla’s agricultural sector improve? By embracing modern farming techniques, such as greenhouse construction and contract farming, Puebla can unlock its agricultural potential and contribute to food security.
