Mexican maize producers plan protests over unpaid subsidies

Agricultural producers in central Mexico, particularly in Guanajuato, have announced planned mobilizations and potential highway roadblocks for Wednesday, September 9. The protests are organized by the Confederación Agropecuaria de México to demand the federal government fulfill pending payments for agricultural incentives.

Specifically, farmers are seeking an unpaid federal incentive of 800 pesos per ton of white maize, supplemented by a 150-peso incentive from the Guanajuato state government. Producers argue that these delays hinder their ability to recover investments from previous cycles and fund new plantings.

The planned demonstrations involve several municipalities, including Pénjamo, Irapuato, Silao, and Abasolo. While roadblocks are a possibility, organizers noted that if the issue regarding pending folios is resolved quickly through dialogue with the Secretaría de Agricultura y Desarrollo Rural (SADER), the protest may be limited to a march using tractors and agricultural vehicles.