State of Mexico Governor Delfina Gómez Álvarez Boosts Native Corn Protection

Governor Delfina Gómez Álvarez opened the first ordinary session of the 2026 Consejo Consultivo Mexiquense del Maíz Nativo, announcing a suite of new public policies to safeguard native corn varieties. The administration highlighted a recent investment of more than 2.2 billion pesos in research and support programs, delivering over 90,000 aid packages to producers and indirectly benefiting around 360,000 people.

Key initiatives include the collection of traditional seed stocks predating the Green Revolution, the creation of a "Best Tortilla in the World" trademark for establishments using traditional nixtamalization, and the rollout of agro‑ecological practices such as the application of 833 tonnes of compost and the production of bio‑inputs for corn, amaranth, beans and other crops. The state’s Comaleras del Bienestar program now involves 221 women across 50 municipalities, promoting indigenous techniques.

During 2024, the State of Mexico planted roughly 474,819 hectares of corn, yielding more than 1.721 million tonnes. Mexico’s 64 recognized corn races, of which 59 are native, place the country among the world’s principal centers of corn origin and diversity.