The blockade follows protests last month over a proposed 31.8% reduction in resources for the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (SADER). In July and August, more than 50,000 people across 25 states demanded more support for the rural sector. President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador (AMLO) has largely dismissed the protests, saying the rural sector is a government priority and attributing demonstrations to a loss of access to public funds by corrupt rural organisation leaders.
Given Morena’s legislative majority, the final 2020 budget is unlikely to alter significantly the allocation of resources for agriculture.
The government’s inability to improve productivity and modernise farming will limit its long-term success in reducing rural poverty.
The neglect of medium-sized producers will perpetuate inequality in Mexico’s primary sector.
A lack of support for commercialisation will weigh on the growth of export-oriented agriculture.
