"We are stubborn and want to conserve native corn": Sheinbaum delivers Milpatecas Bienestar cards in Oaxaca

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum emphasized the importance of preserving native corn, stating, "We are stubborn and want to conserve native corn." She launched the National Native Corn Program, "Corn is the Root," in Oaxaca, marking the first distribution of related resources.

Sheinbaum stressed that conserving native corn is essential to safeguarding the origin, history, lineage, and legacy of the people. The "Corn is the Root" program integrates with existing initiatives like "Production for Well-being," "Sembrando Vida," and free fertilizers, providing comprehensive support to the agricultural sector, particularly indigenous communities.

The program aims to boost production, conservation, transformation, and commercialization of native corn. It seeks to strengthen community agro-food systems, increase yields, ensure high consumption, and generate marketable surpluses. The initiative plans to assist 400,000 farmers this year, with a target of reaching one million directly. Implementation involves technical assistance, productive support, and strengthening the production and consumption chain.

Oaxaca Governor Salomón Jara highlighted the state's support for farmers and corn production. The head of the Secretariat of Agriculture and Rural Development, Columba López, established an itinerant information desk to help producers develop corn-derived products. María Luisa Albores, director of Food for Well-being, noted the start of distributions for the "Milpatecas" Bienestar cards.