In order for international agricultural organizations to learn about the strengths of the Mexican Government in preventing the entry and spread of the Mediterranean fruit fly (Medfly) in Mexico, authorities from Senasica and the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) visited the new male breeding and sterilization plant located in Metapa de Domínguez, Chiapas.
At the head of the tour, the head director of Senasica, Javier Calderón Elizalde, said that Moscamed is the most important phytosanitary program operated by the Secretariat of Agriculture, since it generates a public good that benefits consumers and producers of all scales, especially small and medium-sized producers, who do not have the technical and financial resources to deal with such a destructive agricultural pest.
He emphasized that the new facilities were inaugurated on August 29, 2021 by President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, and are a sign of Senasica's commitment to promote scientific and technological innovations for the benefit of the Mexican countryside, through efficient and sustainable investments.
In his turn, the Director General of IICA, Manuel Otero, welcomed the magnitude and state-of-the-art technology of the new plant and applauded Mexico's commitment to the Americas region to promote the fight against the pest, not only in its own territory, but also in Guatemala.
During the tour, in which they also visited the Mediterranean Fruit Fly Packing Center (CEMM), located in Tapachula, Chiapas, the director of the National Fruit Fly Program, Maritza Juarez Duran, said that this pest affects more than 250 species of fruits and vegetables, so it is a priority for Senasica to maintain and strengthen actions to maintain the country's free status.
Also participating in the visit were Senasica's General Director of Administration and Information Technology Oliver Chavarria Íñiguez; Alfredo Zamarripa Colmenero, Coordinator of Research, Innovation and Liaison of the National Institute of Forestry, Agriculture and Livestock Research (INIFAP); and José Antonio Hernández Hernández, Undersecretary of Agriculture and Livestock of the Government of Chiapas. IICA's representative in Mexico, Diego Montenegro Ernst, and the administrator and technical coordinator, José Luis Ayala, and Martin Barajas, respectively, were also present.
Photogallery: IICA Visits the New Moscamed Plant