Sheinbaum celebrates reduction in food insecurity, highlights social programs

President Claudia Sheinbaum celebrated a significant reduction in food insecurity in Mexico, attributing the progress to her administration's social programs and increased minimum wage. She noted that food insecurity has reached its lowest point since measurements began.

According to a report by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Mexico saw a decrease in moderate food insecurity among its total population, falling from 24.9% in 2014-2016 to 16.5% in 2023-2025. However, Sheinbaum acknowledged that approximately 21 million Mexicans still experience food insecurity.

She emphasized the "Maíz es la Raíz" (Corn is the Root) program, launched by her government, as a key initiative. This program aims to strengthen agricultural production, boost productivity, and encourage a return to integral farming practices. She announced plans to distribute initial checks for collective equipment purchases and native corn conservation in Oaxaca this weekend, seeking to bolster rural food security.

“

In effect, we are at the lowest level since it has been measured. However, 21 million Mexicans still experience insecurity, one of the most relevant programs we have, which has been in place since we arrived, is the Maíz es la Raíz program (...) and besides, we have several programs. But this has to do with the fourth transformation and what the improvement in the quality of life and well-being of the people of Mexico has meant.

The "Maíz es la Raíz" program plans to support 350,000 producers this year and aims to reach one million next year, benefiting nearly 2 million families reliant on agricultural production. The goal is to enable these families to feed themselves from their own crops and generate a surplus for sale.

Despite the progress in food security, the article also noted a rise in obesity in Mexico, with an increase of 12 million people in this condition over 12 years, reaching 34.4 million in 2024.

“

This year we will reach 350,000 producers. Next year we want to reach one million producers. There are about 2 million families who live off their own agricultural production and also engage in other activities, many of them even rent the land. So the objective is that they return to producing, that they can feed themselves from their own milpa and that they also have a surplus that can be commercialized. That is the objective of the Maíz es la Raíz program.