The production of corn in Mexico. Food security or dependence?

Abstract

This issue is part of a research on the development of agricultural biotechnology in Mexico. In this paper ; we analyze the importance of corn production in Mexico ; against the attacks of transnational corporations ; based on the use of genetic engineering for the generation of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs). Mexico is the corn´s origin center and its food culture is based on this crop. When the agroindustry is developed and the corn production is based on genetic engineering ; the food security of its population is threatened. The control of production and the market carried out during the last decades by transnational agricultural companies has affected the national productive chains. Historically ; traditional peasants have managed to conserve ; enrich and diversify the characteristics of corn ; according to their own agro-ecological conditions. In this regard ; we make an analysis based on three elements on this topic. The first about the general characteristics of agricultural production in historical terms. The second one deals with technological change based on the Green Revolution and the role of transnational corporations in the Mexican agricultural sector. The third and last one refers to the production and introduction of GMOs in Mexican agriculture and the threat that such action represents for Mexico's food security.