Smallholder Farmers in Semi-Arid Regions
One of the hardest-to-reach groups for climate action in Mexico are smallholder farmers (campesinos) in semi-arid and drought-prone regions such as Zacatecas, Chihuahua, Durango, San Luis Potosí, and parts of Oaxaca and Guerrero.
According to Mexico’s agricultural census (INEGI Censo Agropecuario 2022), there are nearly 4.8 million agricultural production units, and about 73% of them are smaller than 5 hectares. These farmers manage marginal lands with limited irrigation and depend heavily on seasonal rainfall. Many operate under subsistence or semi-subsistence conditions, often lacking access to credit, insurance, or modern farming inputs.
They are also demographically aging: more than 55% of small farmers are over 50 years old, with limited digital literacy and formal education, making information dissemination and behavioral change especially challenging.
Why They Are Not Contributing Effectively to Emission Reductions
- Low Access to Technology and Financing: Smallholder farmers often lack access to affordable credit or government support programs to adopt low-emission practices such as drip irrigation, renewable energy pumps, or biofertilizers. Only about 14% of rural producers have access to formal financial services (FAO, Smallholders and Climate Change in Mexico, 2023).
- Dependence on Traditional and Inefficient Practices: Due to limited resources, many still use slash-and-burn agriculture, open-field residue burning, and inefficient fertilizer application, all of which contribute significantly to GHG emissions, especially methane (CH₄) and nitrous oxide (N₂O). According to Mexico’s National Greenhouse Gas Inventory (INECC, 2023), agriculture contributes around 12% of total GHG emissions, mainly from enteric fermentation, manure, and soil management.
- Information and Capacity Barriers: Climate adaptation and mitigation programs often do not reach remote communities due to inadequate extension services and digital exclusion. Many rural producers have limited access to real-time weather data or training on regenerative or precision agriculture techniques.
Proposal 1 (1–3 years):
“AgroVerde Digital” — Low-Tech Climate Extension via SMS & Community Radios
What It Is: I am working in an a national-scale communication initiative using SMS text messaging, WhatsApp, and community radio to deliver simple, localized guidance on climate-smart farming, weather alerts, and soil-friendly practices to smallholder farmers in drought-prone regions.
Why It Works:
- Over 90% of rural households in Mexico have a mobile phone (INEGI ICT Survey 2023), making this a cost-effective delivery channel.
- Tailored, short messages (in Spanish and local languages) can teach farmers about composting, efficient fertilizer use, and alternatives to crop burning.
- Radio remains a trusted source of information in rural Mexico; combining digital + analog outreach bridges the digital divide.
Implementation Process:
- Lead agencies: Secretariat of Agriculture (SADER) and National Institute for Forestry, Agriculture, and Livestock Research (INIFAP).
- Partners: Local universities (Chapingo, UANL), FAO, and rural cooperatives.
- Timeline: Pilot in Zacatecas and Oaxaca (Year 1), expand to six states (Years 2–3).
- Measurement: Track participation rates, SMS response surveys, and GHG reduction from reduced burning and fertilizer use (using IPCC Tier 1 factors).
- Estimated Cost: USD 2–3 million for national coverage—low compared to traditional training programs.
Proposal 2 (1–3 years): “Microcredit for Regeneration” — Financing Soil Carbon Practices
What It Is: Also, I am working in a microfinance program offering small loans (USD 500–2,000) and technical assistance for adopting regenerative agriculture techniques such as cover cropping, composting, rotational grazing, and organic biofertilizers.
Why It Works:
- Small-scale regenerative practices can increase soil carbon by 0.5–1.0 tons CO₂e per hectare annually, according to FAO data.
- It empowers farmers to make low-cost transitions without relying solely on government subsidies.
- The revolving fund model ensures financial sustainability.
Implementation Process:
- Lead: FIRA (Trust Funds for Rural Development) under Banco de México, in partnership with SADER and state governments.
- Partners: Microfinance institutions (Compartamos Banco, FinRural), carbon accounting NGOs, and agri-tech startups for monitoring.
- Timeline: 6-month pilot in 3 states → national scaling after 18 months.
- Measurement: Number of hectares under regenerative management, verified soil organic carbon increase, and corresponding CO₂e avoided.
Cost-Effectiveness:
Initial setup (USD 10 million revolving fund) could mobilize USD 50–70 million in regenerative investment over 3 years through loan recycling, yielding measurable GHG reductions and improved soil resilience.
Engaging smallholder farmers is one of Mexico’s biggest climate challenges — but also one of its largest untapped opportunities. By using simple communication tools and accessible financing, these “hard-to-reach” rural producers can become critical allies in emission reduction, soil carbon sequestration, and climate resilience.
Decision-Maker Contact
Dr. Julio Berdegué Sacristán
Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development (SADER), Government of Mexico
This Post was submitted by Climayte Scorecard Mexico Country Manager, Pablo Necoechea.