On Wednesday, June 5, a collaboration agreement was signed between Veggies from Mexico and the Research Center for Food and Development, “Centro de Investigación en Alimentación y Desarrollo” (CIAD Culiacán).

CIAD has been a longstanding ally of growers from Sinaloa. Together, they have faced phytosanitary, safety, and commercial challenges. In 2008, CIAD’s support demonstrated that a salmonella crisis in the U.S. did not originate from Mexican tomatoes. Additionally, CIAD conducted studies to facilitate the entry of Mexican tomatoes into Japan in 2006. Furthermore, CIAD played a key role in analyzing the transmission of the Blue Tobacco Mold affecting Mexican peppers, enabling market access in the eastern region.

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During the agreement signing, Mr. Antonio Beltran Ochoa, President of the board of Veggies from Mexico, acknowledged the research center’s outstanding work. He highlighted that some members of his company, Agricola Belher, have received training and master’s degrees from CIAD, equipping them with unique tools for crop management.

The agreement was signed by Mr. Antonio Beltran on behalf of Veggies from Mexico and Dr. Graciela Caire Juvera, CIAD’s General Director. Witnesses included Georgius Gotsis, Director of Veggies from Mexico, and Dr. Aaron Fernando Gonzalez Cordova, CIAD’s Liaison Coordinator. Other participants were Dr. Maria Dolores Muy Rangel (head of CIAD’s Culiacan Regional Coordination), Ms. Libia Limon Castro (Head of the Liaison Department), Dr. Miguel Ángel Angulo Escalante (head of the Bioresources area), MC. Manuel Baez (Head of the Lab of Post-harvest Quality), and Dr. Adriana Sañudo Barajas (Head of the Biochemistry and Plant Physiology Laboratory).

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The collaboration will involve scientific research, technology development projects, and the submission of basic and applied research proposals for funding. Both organizations will also organize courses, conferences, seminars, workshops, and congresses of mutual interest. Additionally, they aim to create facilities for participating in programs through agreements with other institutions.

Furthermore, discussions included the possibility of establishing a follow-up protocol and professional resolution to address phytosanitary risks for companies in Sinaloa at the border.

This agreement strengthens, formalizes, and recognizes the vital link between Sinaloa growers and the research center.