Advancing the Competitiveness of Small-Scale Producers

Southern Mexico is home to many rural small-scale farmers who are producing high-quality agricultural products such as coffee, milk and handmade cheeses. These local and regional producers often work without access to or knowledge of the technologies that can help them stay competitive in a regional or global context.

Western Illinois University is working with Universidad Tecnológica de la Selva (UTS) & Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro (UAQ) to strengthen the capacity of small-scale producers in southern Mexico and Chiapas.

The dynamic partnership training programs offered through UTS’s Center for Rural Development (CDR) are strengthening support organizations and agencies, fostering professional development, preparing agribusiness students for careers in a global economy, stimulating private and non-profit development, and enhancing small-scale producers’ ability to penetrate global markets. The Center incubated a total of 33 projects, which have led to the creation of 30 jobs. Visit http://www.utselva.edu.mx/incubadora for more information.

UTS faculty—including junior faculty members who recently returned from their master's program at WIU—are addressing common concerns and advancing Mexico’s competitiveness in the global market.