Report - Mexico

Toward New Thinking in the Use of Fertilizers
Agriculture in Mexico has traditionally used different types of fertilizers to improve crops. Nevertheless, in 1992, the Government of the United States of Mexico privatized fertilizer production and allowed the import of all kinds of fertilizers into the country. This created interesting competition from which farmers highly benefited.

Facing competition, fertilizer producers moved forward, creating their own marketing channels, bringing their products directly to the farmers in the fields at very good rates. This competition intensified in 1997. As a result, new mechanisms were created, different from the old traditional marketing system which only involved purchase of existing solid fertilizers. At present, the agricultural sector is immersed in new thinking about the use of fertilizers.

The main objectives of the Federal Government's Agricultural Development Plan are:

1. Increase farmers' income;

2. Raise agricultural production above the population growth rate;

3. Contribute to food security by supplying basic products;

4. Help overcome the structural deficit in the commercial agricultural balance.

The main fertilizer suppliers, at the national and international level, are striving to establish new methods in the use of this important agricultural aid, based on the following line of action:

1. Survey soils according to the type of crop and agricultural cycle, to determine the appropriate quantity, type and dates for use of fertilizers.

2. Train and advise farmers in the use of different types of fertilizers (nitrates, phosphates, potassium, etc.)

3. These procedures lead to a substantial increase in the farmers' income: They need to purchase fewer fertilizers than before and, by using the right type, they increase crop yield per hectare.

4. By increasing production, the second national objective can be achieved - the challenge of increasing production above the population growth rate.

5. Various financial support mechanisms are available to low-income farmers, among them the Procampo program, which involves financial support per hectare that can be used for purchasing fertilizers, thus utilizing this successful credit plan for the increase of production of basic yields. In this way, the fourth objective of the Agricultural Development Plan can be achieved.

6. The achievement of the last objective of the Plan, to help overcome the structural deficit in the commercial agricultural balance, will happen in the long-term, depending on adaptation of new technologies, optimal use of natural resources, low cost of agricultural inputs and efficient use of fertilizers.

As we see, this new thinking in the use of fertilizers is one of the components that will help achieve these important objectives. Results will be obtained gradually given that the majority of the problems in the rural sector in Mexico are structural, dating from the time of the Mexican Revolution. The efforts of all sectors involved will be needed: the government, the farmers and the producers of agricultural inputs (fertilizers, pesticides, seeds, etc.), as well as available economic resources. The strategies formulated for the new millennium will have to include the transformation of this important sector of economy.

Sincerely yours,
Jesus Roberto Sanchez Mendiola
Calleja de las Gargolas 767
Fracc. San Antonio de Ayala
Irapuato, Gto. 36.610
MEXICO