In the field of innovation in agriculture, the Mexican grain processing and bakery products group, Grupo Bimbo, has been collaborating with the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) since 2018. They are implementing regenerative agricultural methods in Sonora and Sinaloa for wheat production, as well as in Jalisco for corn. This information was reported by Mexico Business News.
The Global Head of Regenerative Agriculture at Grupo Bimbo, Juan Pablo Andrade, emphasizes the significant benefits of using regenerative methods compared to traditional methods. For example, in regions where Bimbo operates, such as Sonora and Sinaloa, wheat yields reach 10 tons per hectare, while the usual yield is around 3.4 tons per hectare. This significant increase highlights the efficiency of regenerative methods in optimizing soil health and water use.
Representative of the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), Eliud Perez, notes that local conditions, such as climate and soil quality, play a crucial role in high crop yields in Mexico compared to wheat farms in the USA. Despite droughts, Mexican farmers using regenerative methods report lower crop losses in challenging seasons compared to those using traditional methods. In some cases, losses reach up to 60%.
Bimbo emphasizes the economic benefits of regenerative agriculture. Farmers participating in the program have been able to reduce production costs and save up to 3500 Mexican pesos (209.7 US dollars) per hectare.
The Sustainable Development Manager at Grupo Bimbo, Ariel Espinoza, underscores the need for broader implementation of regenerative practices, starting from continuous monitoring of soil health and improvements in this direction to increase the productivity of agricultural crops.
Grupo Bimbo aims to expand its presence in regenerative agriculture worldwide, including new ventures in Argentina, Paraguay, and Brazil, with the goal of reaching 200,000 hectares by 2024. This aligns with the company's sustainable development goals aimed at ensuring sustainable production of key raw materials by 2050.
