Tamaulipas sorghum producers seek federal emergency aid

Agricultural producers in Tamaulipas are requesting the Mexican federal government to authorize an ‘Emergent Support’ program for sorghum. This request follows similar economic aid granted to corn farmers in states such as Sinaloa and Sonora.

Juan Manuel Salinas Sánchez, manager of the Unión Agrícola Regional del Norte de Tamaulipas, described the proposed tripartite support as totaling 1,700 pesos per hectare. This would consist of 800 pesos from the federal government, 400 pesos from the state government, and a 500-peso interest discount on credit lines provided by FIRA.

Producers are currently facing a critical economic situation due to low international sorghum prices and low yields. A prolonged drought during the previous cycle resulted in production levels of only 2 to 3 tons per hectare in the best cases, making it difficult for farmers to recover their initial investments.