Interview: Luis Xavier Zazueta Ibarra – AARFS Chairman
Interviewed by Veggies From Mexico, we were able to talk to Luis Xavier Zazueta Ibarra, the current chairman of the Farmers’ Association of Rio Fuerte Sur.
Mr. Zazueta shared with us that his passion for farming started 25 years ago with the production of various crops such as corn, beans, chickpeas, sorghum, and potatoes in northern Sinaloa, and that being a farmer is a source of great pride for him.
In his journey as a representative of the guild, he currently considers it a great privilege to lead the Farmers’ Association of Río Fuerte Sur (AARFS A.C.), one of the most important farming associations in Mexico.
Previously, he also had the opportunity to lead the Association of Rural Landowners of Northern Sinaloa and recently presided over the Juncos Irrigation Module. Also, he served as Councillor in the Municipality of Ahome, which he describes as valuable experience in his professional development.
1. Would you mind sharing with us a little bit about the history of the Farmers’ Association of Rio Fuerte Sur?
On November 25, 1932, a group of 83 farmers from the Fuerte Valley founded the Farmers’ Association of Río Fuerte Sur (AARFS A.C.) in the city of Los Mochis, Sinaloa. It was established as a non-profit organization made up of members and small landowners from northern Sinaloa, with the purpose of representing the common interests of its affiliates and the farming sector in general.
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2. Would you mind telling us about your experience leading this farming organization in the state?
In my first year leading AARFS, it has been a very enriching experience thanks to the teamwork of our Board of Directors, where we combine efforts and knowledge to address the challenges and difficulties of our farming activity in the best possible way.
3. What are your main goals for the organization during your tenure?
From the very first day, our focus has been to work in a coordinated and transparent manner in all administrative and operational activities of the Association. Our purpose is to provide better services and products to our members and clients, while strengthening the institutional and financial life of our farmers’ association.
4. How important do you think belonging to farming associations such as AARFS is for growers?
It is particularly important for farmers to belong to farmer associations such as ours because they provide comprehensive, competitive, and innovative services and inputs, institutional management at all three levels of government, infrastructure, and marketing channels for the development of profitable and sustainable farming.
5. What are the strategic areas of the Association and what are their main services?
As a strategic part in decision-making, we have the Board of Directors, from which committees of credit, purchasing, investments, and hardware are derived, providing certainty and direction to the organization. The main services AARFS offers its members include production and commercial loans, inputs such as seeds, fertilizers, agrochemicals, insurance funds, grain harvest reception, and marketing.
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6. How many associations make up CAADES, and how do they work together for the benefit of farmers from Sinaloa?
Currently, CAADES is made up of 11 farmers’ associations strategically located throughout Sinaloa, which operate under the Law on Agricultural Organizations in the State of Sinaloa and share the common goal of promoting and contributing to food production in a profitable and sustainable manner.
7. What are the main challenges agriculture is currently facing?
The main challenges currently faced by farmers and the agricultural sector in general are as follows:
- Recurrent droughts and low water storage in dam systems.
- Lack of profitability in crops due to low harvest prices and high production costs.
- Absence of public policies that incentivize farming productivity through crop marketing schemes.
8. How important do you consider food safety and social responsibility are for the farming industry?
Food Safety and Social Responsibility play an essential role in the farming industry because they directly impact consumer health, sector sustainability, and market confidence. In such a competitive and globalized sector, it is vital to put healthy and clean food on the table of consumers, while farming companies must operate with social responsibility in their fields, caring for their workers and the environment.
9. What actions will be implemented to benefit the farming industry from Sinaloa?
As a farmers’ association, we will continue to advocate for better public policies that drive economic development and the primary sector. We will also strengthen strategic alliances throughout the entire production chain to provide growers from northern Sinaloa with better products and services to improve their profitability, and finally, we will continue working with determination and transparency to promote improvements, defend our interests, and encourage sustainable development that benefits both our families and communities.
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