The Mexican maize panorama: Socio-economic study of agricultural productivity and import dependency

Abstract

This work comprehensively analyses the Mexican maize economy in terms of national maize production and USA–Mexico trade profiles. Despite significant maize acreage in Mexico, prevailing rainfed farming and outdated practices have marginalized maize growers from contributing to the national and global food security discourse. We quantitatively studied agroindustrial statistics, development indicators, and trade details to diagnose these flawed dynamics for the past two decades. It is concluded that maize farmers are trapped by a damaged business model where the market is limited to local households while imports meet emerging industrial demand. This limits price adjustability; therefore, economic feasibility is sacrificed. The government has tried to revive the role of staple crop farmers but has failed due to resource mismanagement, cultural opposition to modernization and market detachment which highlights the importance of supporting programs to alleviate foreseeable risks at all industrial levels.