Texcoco, Mexico, July 1, 2025 – A reinvigorated public – private partnership for corn production and trading aims to scale up sustainable farming and responsible sourcing practices that have helped Mexican farmers cut greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by up to 20% in two of Mexico’s breadbasket states.
The partnership between the global ingredient solutions company Ingredion and the international, non-profit, research for development organization CIMMYT aims to help transform farming systems by reducing their carbon footprint in a warming world where agriculture, forestry and other land use account for up to 22% of global GHG emissions, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Ingredion and CIMMYT first partnered in 2023 to implement a pilot project labelled ‘Sustainable Origin of Yellow Corn in Mexico’, which promoted inter-cropping and soil fertility analyses, eco-friendly pest and disease management practices and water saving measures to improve soil health, yields and farmers’ income.
“I also want to highlight the incredible work done by CIMMYT,” said Ingredion’s Senior Vice President and Chief Commercial and Sustainability Officer, Larry Fernandes, during the signing ceremony of the extended partnership. “Their efforts in research and innovation are crucial for creating a resilient agricultural system.”
The results of the pilot project implemented in the states of Jalisco and Sinaloa in Western Mexico were outstanding and led Ingredion to announce a new investment in CIMMYT’s responsible sourcing strategy to scale up sustainable farming practices and reach more farmers in both locations.
“More than 1,200 Mexican farmers adopted regenerative agriculture practices to grow over 100,000 tons of corn sold to Ingredion’s supply chain over a two-year period,” said Director General at Ingredion Mexico, Jaime López. “Our aim is to increase both the number of farmers and their productivity to source 400,000 tons of corn grown sustainably by 2030.”
From CIMMYT’s perspective, transforming smallholder farming systems is key to mitigate climate change, but also to prevent forced migration from rural areas by protecting agricultural jobs and strengthening food security.
“Our renewed alliance with the American company Ingredion is a prime example of how strengthened bilateral collaboration is contributing to make both Mexico and America safer, stronger and more prosperous,” said CIMMYT’s Director General, Bram Govaerts. “We will continue to mobilize more financial and in-kind support for CIMMYT’s transformative work in the Global South to address with resolve the interconnected challenges of climate change, food security and peace.”
About CIMMYT
CIMMYT is a cutting-edge, non-profit, international organization dedicated to solving tomorrow’s problems today. It is entrusted with fostering improved quantity, quality, and dependability of production systems and basic cereals such as maize, wheat, triticale, sorghum, millets, and associated crops through applied agricultural science, particularly in the Global South, through building strong partnerships. This combination enhances the livelihood trajectories and resilience of millions of resource-poor farmers while working towards a more productive, inclusive, and resilient agrifood system within planetary boundaries.
Media Contact: Jelle Boone
Head of Communications, CIMMYT
Email: j.boone@cgiar.org
Mobile: +52 595 124 7241
Nutrition, health and food security 
