Strategies for White and Yellow Maize Cultivar Improvement Research and Technology Transfer in Mexico

Abstract

Th e Mexican federal government recently implemented a program to increase Mexico's maize (Zea mays L.) production through development and diff usion of technological packages incorporating improved seed cultivars. Th e initiative is known as MasAgro, Modernización Sustentable de la Agricultura Tradicional (i.e., Program of Sustainable Modernization of Traditional Agriculture). Mexico's diverse maize production sector requires research and technology transfer of white and yellow maize produced under rainfed and irrigated conditions by both traditional and commercially oriented farmers. A spatial and intertemporal Mexican maize sector model was formulated to assess three strategies for targeted cultivar development and optimized spatial distribution of maize production to improve Mexico's food security. Information by state and production season for average years 2008 to 2010 was used to obtain the model solution. Information and data for the model came from secondary sources, primarily Mexican government institutions. Research results provide guidance for Mexico's agricultural research and technology transfer eff orts. Mexico's potential maize production was estimated, and strategies that consider distribution logistics and domestic maize consumption were compared. Results indicate that Mexico's potential maize production is 29.34 million Mg, or 95.1% of the average annual Mexican maize consumption between 2008 and 2010. Th e three maize sector planning strategies evaluated had higher social welfare values than the actual maize sector conditions in the baseline period 2008 to 2010. Th us, there are signifi cant opportunities for agricultural research and technology transfer to improve Mexico's well-being using integrated maize sector planning that includes targeted cultivar development and customized technology transfer for diff erent regions, crop water conditions, and farmers.

Geographic distribution of the production of certified corn (Zea mays L.) seed

“…These results indicate that changes in the distribution logistics of production and supply (in this case, certified seed) frequently have positive and negative effects on variables such as income, production and distribution costs, and profits for producers. García-Salazar and Skaggs (2015) show similar effects regarding distribution costs after yellow corn replaced white corn in a given area, as a consequence of a change in consumption. When roads or transport routes are in poor conditions or the areas are difficult to access, distribution costs are frequently higher, potentially increasing the time and cost needed to reach the consuming areas (Ayllon-Benítez et al, 2015).…”