Zacatecan producers meet Aguascalientes governor

Zacatecas bean producers traveled to Aguascalientes on Friday for what they described as a first meeting with Governor María Teresa Jiménez Esquivel over the sale of unsold grain. The meeting centered on a request for Aguascalientes to buy part of the crop as producers in Zacatecas continue a protest that began May 7 at the state Congress building. Abraham Castro Trejo, one of the producer representatives, said Jiménez offered an initial price of 14 pesos per kilogram and told the group she would review how many tons her government could acquire. The talks came as Zacatecas farmers keep pressing state and federal authorities to honor an earlier agreement to collect 1,500 tons at 27 pesos per kilo. ### Why were Zacatecas producers meeting a governor from another state? May 14 became the latest step in a dispute that began in Zacatecas over bean procurement, not a broader regional farm accord. NTR Zacatecas reported that the Aguascalientes meeting followed protests by farmers who say authorities failed to comply with a March 29 agreement under which the Zacatecas state government and Alimentación para el Bienestar committed to support the collection of 1,500 tons. (ntrzacatecas.com) Zacatecas producers said they were seeking outside buyers because they had not secured a solution from their own state or federal counterparts. Rubén Hernández Muñiz said on May 15 that the movement was open to support from “other governments” or private buyers, while Isaías Castro Trejo said the conflict had expanded beyond bean prices to include water, electricity and rural financing. (ntrzacatecas.com) ### What exactly did Tere Jiménez offer? María Teresa Jiménez Esquivel offered to buy bean at 14 pesos per kilogram, according to Castro Trejo’s account to fellow protesters in Zacatecas. He said the governor told the group the grain would be repackaged into one-kilogram bags for food hampers distributed by the Aguascalientes government. (ntrzacatecas.com) The same account said Jiménez also told producers her government had already cooperated in the purchase of 8,000 tons of Zacatecas bean through Alimentación para el Bienestar. Castro Trejo said she would also speak with Zacatecas Governor David Monreal about adding support so the earlier 1,500-ton commitment could be fulfilled, and that discussion opened the possibility of a higher price, potentially up to 20 pesos per kilo. (ntrzacatecas.com) ### How far is that from what the producers want? The protest movement in Zacatecas is still demanding compliance with the earlier 27-peso-per-kilo agreement for 1,500 tons. NTR Zacatecas reported that producers asked Jiménez for help with a purchase of those same 1,500 tons, independent of the pending arrangement they say Zacatecas authorities still owe them. (ntrzacatecas.com) Isaías Castro said the producers would keep insisting on the original terms even if Aguascalientes buys part of the crop. That leaves the Aguascalientes offer as a parallel negotiation, not a replacement for the Zacatecas dispute. ### What support programs does Aguascalientes already run for farmers? Aguascalientes has active state support programs for producers, according to state government and local media reports from April and May. (ntrzacatecas.com) On April 18, Jiménez led an event that included 10 million pesos for improved irrigated corn seed and catastrophic crop insurance benefiting 750 producers, while Rural Development Secretary Isidoro Armendáriz García listed programs including tractors, wells, agricultural equipment, solar panels and rural credit at a 7% interest rate. On May 5, local outlet LJA.MX reported that the state opened a program covering 80% of the cost of improved corn and bean seed, up to 900 pesos per hectare and a maximum of five hectares per producer. The report said the call was aimed at ejidatarios, comuneros, small landowners and producer groups for the 2026 growing cycle. (informacion.aguascalientes.gob.mx) ### What happens next in the bean talks? Federico Najar said a second meeting would be held to review both the price and the number of tons Aguascalientes would buy. NTR Zacatecas reported that any grain accepted in the deal would be taken to the municipality of Rincón de Romos, in Aguascalientes. May 15 also brought another pressure point in Zacatecas, where producers called state and federal authorities to a noon dialogue at the legislature and warned they could escalate protests if officials did not attend. (lja.mx) The movement has remained camped at the Congress building since May 7 while it seeks a resolution on the 1,500-ton agreement. (ntrzacatecas.com) (ntrzacatecas.com)