Government Neglect Threatens Yucatan Countryside

The National Union of Agricultural Workers (UNTA) in Yucatan has expressed concern over the lack of government attention towards the region's countryside. Guillermo Cauich Durán, the regional leader of the organization, has voiced his disappointment saying that the government's plans and proposals have largely overlooked the rural areas. He stresses that a state or a country's independence is directly proportional to its ability to produce its own food, which ensures food sovereignty.

According to Durán, governments should not view the countryside merely as a source of votes, but should focus on addressing the numerous challenges faced by the sector. He states that rural communities are suffering due to land abandonment and the allocation of large areas to mega-projects.

Durán points out that peasants are faced with three main problems: lack of land for corn cultivation, absence of forests for firewood, and the need to buy gas for cooking. He adds that they lack the financial means to afford the gas or even tortillas. "Farmers are well aware of the cost of production, but they receive little to no support from the federal government," he says.

Durán criticizes the federal welfare programs, which he claims only benefit those close to the government. He finds it ironic that while the government claims to be "Sowing Life", it is in fact "sowing abandonment". He hopes that the state government will invest more resources into the countryside to stimulate agricultural production, boost the rural economy, and improve the living conditions of peasant families.

The UNTA leader calls for the state and federal governments to support the peasant sector and involve the youth more in agricultural production through participation in productive projects. He suggests that resources should be directed towards family agroindustry, which has proven successful in the past. "This approach diversifies food production and promotes a sustainable domestic economy. We need to reclaim our plots and achieve food self-sufficiency," he says.

Durán warns of the consequences of neglecting the Yucatan countryside. He believes that more resources should be allocated to agricultural production to prevent migration to cities and tourist centers. He also suggests promoting backyard planting in municipalities to boost family agroindustry. However, he emphasizes that the government needs to pay more attention to the Yucatan countryside.