“From the Land to Your Hands” Showcases the Work of Producers from 15 Mexican States at Los Pinos
With information from SEMANART, Mexico
Sustainable projects funded by the Global Environment Facility aim to strengthen local economies and reduce climate vulnerability.
At the Cultural Complex of Los Pinos, the fair From the Land to Your Hands opened its doors to highlight the work of small-scale producers from 15 Mexican states. These producers are part of sustainable initiatives funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and coordinated by the Secretariat of Environment and Natural Resources (Semarnat).
The event was inaugurated by Alicia Bárcena Ibarra, head of Semarnat, who underscored the deep connection between environmental justice and the people who live and work the land.
“This fair represents what our President has asked us to do,” she said. “To be close to the territories, to those who produce, to those who make this great country possible every single day. What I love most about this program is that the right to a healthy environment and environmental justice are in the hands of the people. You, the communities, are the true representatives of the land—you’re the only ones who can help us advance environmental justice and protect and conserve our environment.”
Bárcena also expressed gratitude to the World Bank, which supports the implementation of the project: “They’ve not only provided funding but allowed us to lead the work ourselves—to get closer to the people and their territories. I’m thrilled that thanks to the GEF’s 185 million pesos in funding, we’ve been able to support more than 46,000 producers. A project like this shows that it’s possible to benefit entire communities and thousands of families.”
Marina Robles García, Undersecretary of Biodiversity and Environmental Restoration, added that the project is rooted in the wisdom already present in communities. “The knowledge is already there—this kind of initiative aims to strengthen it, rescue it, preserve it. The richness of our land and people is the richness we offer the world. President Sheinbaum has a long history of supporting this kind of work.”
Verónica Candelero García, a beneficiary of the Sustainable Productive Territories (TPS) project, spoke from personal experience:
“The most important thing is to keep planting, keep reforesting, keep raising awareness about food and land. We need to create new channels for marketing so that our work is visible—so people understand that life in the countryside can be profitable. Our strength lies in transformation, in cultivation, and in the protection of Indigenous traditions and crops.”
The event, held May 24–25 from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. in Plaza Madero at Los Pinos, brings together 80 producers from 15 states, who share their success stories in integrating sustainable practices into rural production. Their efforts not only support biodiversity but also promote social well-being.
The fair offers a rich showcase of Mexico’s sustainable future, featuring products such as cacao, honey, coffee, sustainably farmed goods, wood and non-timber forest products, preserves, and plants—all created using techniques that reflect a balance of productivity, environmental care, and innovation.
Partners of the TPS Project—including the Ministry of Agriculture, the National Commission for Natural Protected Areas (Conanp), the National Commission for the Knowledge and Use of Biodiversity (Conabio), the National Forestry Commission (Conafor), and Sembrando Vida—also presented their work, demonstrating efforts across the country to promote sustainable, biodiversity-friendly production and consumption.
More than just a fair, From the Land to Your Hands is a living example of what sustainable, community-centered development looks like in action—where responsible production puts ecosystems, producers, and communities at the heart of the process.
The inauguration was also attended by Mark Thomas, World Bank Director for Mexico, Venezuela, and Colombia; Columba López González, Undersecretary of Productive Inclusion and Rural Development at the Ministry of Welfare; Cristina Martín Arrieta, General Coordinator of the TPS Project; and Xóchitl Ramírez Reivich, General Coordinator of Sustainability and Climate Resilience at the Ministry of Agriculture.
Latina Republic reports on environmental issues across Latin America, highlighting community-led initiatives, climate resilience, and the fight for environmental justice. We amplify local voices and initiatives working to protect the region’s natural and cultural heritage.
