Mexico

Project overview

Mexico’s food systems are central to its economy, biodiversity and cultural heritage, yet face increasing pressure from climate change, environmental degradation and socio-economic inequalities.

Despite being one of the world’s most biodiverse countries and a major global food producer, Mexico has lost a significant share of its natural ecosystems due to unsustainable agricultural practices, deforestation and resource overexploitation. These pressures are particularly acute in indigenous territories, where biodiversity richness coincides with high levels of poverty and food insecurity. 

Indigenous food systems, based on agroecological practices, traditional knowledge and community governance, offer resilient and sustainable models of food production. However, they are increasingly threatened by agribusiness expansion, climate change, migration and weakening institutional support.

The Government of Mexico is prioritizing food system transformation towards a more inclusive, equitable and sustainable model. This project contributes to that transition by strengthening indigenous food systems, enhancing their role in biodiversity conservation, and supporting sustainable livelihoods, thereby promoting systemic change across production, governance, and value chains.

Our approach

The project adopts a biocultural and systems-based approach to food system transformation, placing indigenous peoples and their knowledge at the center. It strengthens governance by integrating indigenous food systems into national policies, improving cross-sector coordination, and ensuring inclusive and gender-responsive decision-making.

The project enhances access to finance by developing tailored financial mechanisms and strengthening community-based financial organizations to support small-scale producers and value chains. At the landscape level, it promotes biocultural food landscapes that integrate sustainable land management, agroecology and biodiversity conservation, including strengthening local governance structures, restoring ecosystems and supporting sustainable crop and livestock practices.

The project also supports inclusive value chains and market access, promoting sustainable products, fair trade conditions and women’s participation in economic activities. Knowledge generation, innovation and scaling are key components, including training programmes, awareness campaigns and participation in global Food Systems Integrated Program platforms. The project emphasizes social inclusion, particularly for indigenous communities and women, ensuring equitable access to resources, knowledge and benefits.

Sites

The project will be implemented across three biocultural food landscapes: 

• Yoeme (Yaqui) territory (Sonora) 
• Comcaac (Seri) territory (Sonora) 
• Gran Nayar territory (Wixárika, Náyeri, O’dam and Meshikan peoples) (Jalisco and Nayarit)