MEXICO CITY (El Universal and AP).— Agricultural producers rated as a “simulation” of the agreement announced by the Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development, Julio Berdeguéregarding the support of 950 pesos per ton of corn. They assured that the proposal of the federal government does not respond to the needs of the Mexican countrysideoday they warned that their fight continues.
He Peasant Agricultural Movement expressed that the agreement, presented during the morning conference of the president Claudia Sheinbaum, “It cannot be called an agreement when a price is imposed that does not even cover the cost of production.”
The leaders stated that accepting the 950 pesos would be “a mockery for the producer,” since the increase in inputs, diesel and seeds has left profit margins below what is sustainable. ““They offer us crumbs when the countryside is drowning,” they reproached
The peasant collective insisted on its demand for a price of guarantee of 7 thousand 200 pesos per ton. As they said, That figure would barely offset operating expenses and would allow national production to remain active.
After the negotiation table concluded in the Secretary of the Interiorfarmers recognized minimal progress. “It was an excellent meeting, but with many pending issues,” they noted, emphasizing that commitments do not equal solutions.
Some groups began to release the road blockades installed in various parts of the Bajío, although others will maintain protests until the government shows real will. “You cannot presume dialogue when you do not listen to those who work the land,” expressed the dissidents.
Berdegué maintained that the agreement will benefit producers with up to 20 hectares, which represent between 96 and 98 percent of the farmers in Bajío. He explained that the support will cover one million 400 thousand tons of corn, with a limit of 200 tons per producer.
The official added that, by presidential instruction, the Mexican System of Market Management and Marketing of Corn, in order to define reference prices, promote direct agreements and establish legal rules for grain trade.
However, the producers pointed out that such promises are recurring and rarely fulfilled. “They talk about systems and programs while the farmer sells at a loss,” stated the leaders of the movement.
They will not use force
The president Sheinbaum defended the government’s strategy and clarified that the use of public force will not be resorted to. to disperse protests. “We will not fall into provocations or blackmail,” he assured, recalling that the blockades caused damage to various roads in the country.
During the riots, some sectors demanded the intervention of the National guard, but the president maintained that her priority is dialogue. “There is dialogue until a fair agreement is reached,” he emphasized.
The agreement allowed most of the blockades to be released, although in some areas demonstrations persisted. According to data from the Ministry of Infrastructure, Communications and Transportation, at least a dozen road points were affected.