ALASA authorities visited Mexico City where they carried out various activities related to updating, innovation and development of agricultural insurance.

Mexico is the eleventh world producer of food from agricultural crops and primary livestock and ranks 17th internationally in fisheries and aquaculture production.

With respect to the Agricultural Insurance market, it is considered one of the top 3 in Latin America and older.

It currently has a support / subsidy system for insurance premiums by the State. However, there is great concern in the insurance market because this measure would be reviewed before the budget reduction by the legislature for the sector. This decision could severely affect the performance of the Mexican market.

One of the activities highlighted during the stay in Mexico, and thanks to the management of local partners, was the audience of which ALASA members participated with the Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development (Sader), Víctor Villalobos. Present were Nestor Abatidaga- Pte- ALASA (SANCOR SEGUROS BRAZIL), Juan Carlos Cortes- Vice President ALASA (PROAGRO), Marcelo Girardi- Secretary General ALASA (SANCOR SEGUROS ARGENTINA), Oswaldo Chazaro Montalvo ALASA (CNOG Fund), Guillermo Oneglia ALASA (ARC ) and Jorge Landeros- PROAGRO.

At the meeting, Villalobos gave details about the situation in the country and expressed the commitment of this portfolio to defend as much as possible the budget for the insurance program. The secretary recognized the importance of this instrument for the agricultural and economic development of the country.

Before the approval of the Expenditure Budget 2020, the holder of the Agriculture and Rural Development portfolio, assured that an efficient and effective use of the budget allocated to the sector will be made to achieve the goals of this government that are “strengthen the internal market and increase productivity. ” In addition, he stressed the importance of the participation of all actors in the sector, regardless of the size of the production unit.

The official said that the current administration gives priority to the implementation of programs that affect poverty reduction and increase food security and, in addition, generate greater integration of value chains, to strengthen the internal market and generate wealth with inclusion.

He acknowledged that there is inequality in the field and that this occurs in the levels of productivity, in access to financial resources, inputs, knowledge and technology, as well as markets, which together creates a huge inequality in income. Correcting these asymmetries, he said, requires state action to promote an inclusive development model, with differentiated public policies for different economic realities.

That is why, he remarked, that the budget for the field is one of the most necessary, due to the circumstances that the agricultural sector is going through today, with dams at half capacity, because the rains were late and Few What concerns are the families that live from agriculture and livestock, so it is necessary to support those who work in the primary sector.

The official stressed that it is intended to give certainty and transparency in the application of policies, supports and subsidies; increase investment in science, innovation and technology transfer; promote public-private partnerships and position Mexican products more efficiently in international markets.

In the presence of representatives of ALASA, and highlighting his visit, the Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development, stressed the importance of working at a regional level throughout the Americas, a moment that was used by the authorities of ALASA to formalize the invitation to be part of the panel of ministers at ALASA 2020.

OTHER OUTSTANDING ACTIVITIES OF ALASA IN MEXICO

ALASA authorities also held meetings with partners of the Association to analyze and discuss the current problems that the sector is going through. The importance of technology and innovation for the growth and development of the agricultural sector and the need to strengthen links and develop projects to underpin the growth of insurance were highlighted.

Present were Juan Carlos Cortez, CEO of PROAGRO, Antonio Marusich, General Manager of CNOG, Max Kuckemanns representative of Munich Re, Rafael Lozano Dondiego, of Alianza en Operación Riesgos Agropecuarios SA de CV, Agustín Espinoza Gaxiola, representing the AGRICULTURAL INSURANCE FUND PACIFICO and Guillermo Oneglia of ARC.

Finally, all the activities developed by ALASA in 2019 were reviewed and details of the Mendoza 2020 Congress were shared.