In Mexico, Smallholder Farmers Begin the Journey Toward Regenerative Agriculture
In a region of Mexico where the plains meet the mountains, the land teems with life. Agriculture is embedded in the very fabric of life. Smallholder farmers here benefit from the area’s rich, high-quality soil, but earning a living off of the land can be difficult.
Farmers tirelessly work the land in these mountains and valleys, constantly facing challenges to keep their crops healthy and ensure economic well-being for their families.
The Walmart Foundation of Mexico, with support from TechnoServe, is helping smallholder farmers in the region access the necessary knowledge and tools to develop their crops and formalize their agribusinesses through the Pequeño Productor Program. Implemented in the states of Dotegiare and Tlalchicilpan, the program trains smallholder tomato producers in good agronomic practices, quality improvements, and sales.
This journey toward regenerative agriculture began in early 2023 with a group of farmers dedicated to tomato cultivation.
“In this area, we identified that [farmers] had no preventive measures for pest management and optimal fertilization, so they used chemicals to treat the problem without prior knowledge of the potential negative impacts on their land,” explained Liliana Canales, a TechnoServe agronomic engineer. “All this contributed to significant soil damage and damage to the fruit.”
Regenerative Agriculture: Practices that Marked the Change
The Pequeño Productor Program is teaching farmers to:
- Adopt more sustainable agricultural practices, such as using yellow traps for pest monitoring
- Reduce the use of chemical fertilizers
- Produce organic fertilizers
In a short time, farmers in the program have begun to experience significant advancements and see tangible results in their produce and quality of life.
Before the training, we didn’t know the planting times, so we planted just before the frost and lost everything. Now, we know when to plant and harvest the product, so we make better use of the land and take care of it. Thanks to the Walmart Foundation of Mexico program, we are now more organized with money, creating a fund to cover unforeseen planting expenses, such as buying plastic if the greenhouse is damaged. We also have better pest management, which always caused us a lot of trouble, resulting in significant product loss.” Celia Gregorio, tomato producer, Dotegiare, San Felipe de Progreso, Mexico”
During the initial phase, the technical team focused on teaching farmers everything needed to improve the quality of their products to seek their long-term entry into formal markets. Thanks to new practices, such as handwashing before entering the greenhouse and making the most of the land outside the seasons, the production quality has improved, the land has been restored, and spending on harmful chemicals has been significantly reduced.
“Here, we didn’t have the necessary training to produce well and achieve a better product for better sales, so with the workshops offered, we have gradually improved our planting and also used that information to harvest corn, vegetables, and other foods that serve us for our consumption,” explained Rosa Elia Ramírez, a tomato producer in Tlalchichilpan.
These testimonies highlight the power of knowledge and how adopting new practices can enhance producers’ capabilities.
“Through the Walmart Foundation of Mexico’s Pequeño Productor Program, we not only contribute to biodiversity and improve soil and water conditions, but we also promote the professionalization and formalization of producers into agribusinesses capable of directly accessing formal markets,” shared Carolina Cely, TechnoServe’s Mexico country director.
New Opportunities Through Regenerative Agriculture
To date, this group of farmers has learned about the benefits of crop rotation, reducing water and soil contamination, discouraging the use of chemical inputs, and fostering community work. The next step will be formalizing smallholder farmers as agribusinesses so that they can start direct sales to buyers like Walmart Mexico and Central America stores, Bodega Aurrera, Walmart Express, and Walmart Supercenter.
“Through the Pequeño Productor Program, we have empowered 32,000 farmers by providing them with vital information and knowledge for the formalization of their businesses and facilitating their entry into formal markets, achieving an income increase of up to 81%, significantly impacting their lives and development in various states across the country,” shared Gisela Noble, Director of the Walmart Foundation of Mexico. “Our goal is to build a solid bridge between Mexican farms and businesses, thus continuing to harvest the land and offering future generations a sustainable livelihood that cares for the environment and provides opportunities for a better quality of life.”
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