Mexico

Country Context

Mexico boasts a rich cultural history, diverse natural resources and a strong agricultural heritage. However, rural areas struggle with high levels of poverty, food insecurity and chronic malnutrition. The southeast, southern and eastern regions where Heifer Mexico operates face significant challenges, with up to 70 percent of the Indigenous population in areas such as the isthmus between Chiapas and Oaxaca living in poverty.

Limited access to finance, climate change, organized crime and inadequate infrastructure further challenge the agriculture sector, impacting productivity and sustainability. The lack of vocational opportunities also drives significant migration from rural areas. Despite these obstacles, Mexico’s potential for development remains strong. Strengthening smallholder farming livelihoods and linking them to inclusive markets are vital steps toward achieving sustainable growth and improving the well-being of rural families.

Our Response

Heifer Mexico increases the income and resilience of smallholder farming families by focusing on sustainability and inclusion. Through building alliances, mobilizing capital and providing training and support, we amplify the quantity and quality of goods produced and increase producers’ competitiveness in local markets.

Our programs teach eco-friendly farming techniques for climate change adaptation and support income diversification through various value chains. At the same time, we help expand the participation and leadership of rural women, solidify small enterprises and foster partnerships with various organizations to reinforce locally led solutions and sustainable community development. These combined efforts ensure smallholder farmers achieve long-term success and improve their quality of life.

Our primary objective is helping families achieve a sustainable living income, our measure for the amount of money required for a decent life — including safe shelter, nutritious food, clothing, education and health care — while also reaching additional benchmarks for economic and climate resilience.

The Mexico Signature Programs

Heifer International’s work is organized at the country level into Signature Programs focused on large-scale, measurable and sustainable impact achieved by building partnerships at all levels. Each program supports farmers through time-bound projects designed to increase their household income.

Promesa Café y Cacao

The Promesa Café y Cacao Signature Program is dedicated to improving the lives and livelihood sustainability of smallholder coffee and cacao farmers in Chiapas, Veracruz, Puebla and Oaxaca. The program improves productivity, adds value to the supply chain and facilitates better market access, all while encouraging women’s participation and technical skill development. Through inclusive market systems and strategic partnerships, these value chains become more resilient and profitable for smallholder farmers.

Rural Roots

The Rural Roots Signature Program aims to help 80,000 rural families reach a sustainable living income by 2030. The program strengthens the self-management of organizations, rural agribusinesses and institutions, particularly those led by women and youth. It also makes market systems more inclusive and increases access to natural resources to benefit smallholder farmers and rural communities.