Ingredion Mexico and the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) signed a cooperation agreement to implement a pilot project to produce yellow corn using sustainable practices. This effort focuses on supporting farmers in Mexico to adopt practices that conserve the soil and optimize production inputs. The pilot project will consolidate and pool resources between the two companies to increase the production of sustainable yellow corn in the spring-summer and autumn-winter cycle plantings in two of Mexico's main corn-producing regions.

"At Ingredion, we believe that everyone should join forces to promote sustainable and conservation practices, starting with our network of yellow corn suppliers and extending these practices using sustainability metrics for the future scaling of the fields in Mexico," said Leopoldo Horle, Ingredion Mexico's president and CEO. "The agreement with CIMMYT aims to achieve more sustainable fields. The country has enormous growth potential, and it is very important for everyone to collaborate, helping the country's farmers," added Horle.

"On track with our strategy towards 2030, we are strengthening existing associations and participating in new alliances that contribute to transforming food systems," said Bram Govaerts, CIMMYT's CEO. "The vision and shared work with Ingredion for sustainable production of yellow corn seeks to transform food systems by focusing on strengthening the farmer's ability to make the best decisions and be resilient in a context of climate change." 

The project includes using the full potential of water resources, both rainfed and irrigation, improving the use of inputs such as seeds and fertilizers and training farmers to optimize their agricultural management and profitability. Ingredion will help farmers with the sale of their products and provide the possibility of building and consolidating more lasting business relationships. CIMMYT will provide research, methodology, and technical and scientific support to implement the yellow corn sustainable agriculture program and support farmers who enter the project.