Mexico implements ‘Volver a Crecer’ debt forgiveness for farmers

The Mexican federal government is implementing the ‘Volver a Crecer’ program to forgive debts owed to the defunct Financiera Nacional para el Desarrollo Agropecuario, Pesquero y Forestal (FND). The initiative, ordered by President Claudia Sheinbaum, aims to provide financial relief and restore property certainty to small-scale agricultural producers.

In Puebla, 1,115 producers have completed the process, including 314 women and 801 small producers, with an estimated benefit of 600 million pesos. The program provides debt discharge letters, halts legal actions, releases collateral, and updates credit bureau records to allow access to new financing. For those with remaining balances, a 30 percent discount is available for debt restructuring.

Nayarit has seen significant progress, with 2,872 producers set to receive 100 percent debt forgiveness and 891 receiving a 30 percent discount. The program guidelines specify that total forgiveness applies to women with debts under 397,551 pesos and small producers with debts under 247,966 pesos. The initiative also covers organizations and small agro-industries, with the program scheduled to conclude in September.