Víctor Villalobos, Minister of Agriculture, in collaboration with the Michoacan government, initiated a strategic project to enhance the productivity of the banana production chain. This initiative aims to boost the economy and improve the well-being of rural families in the state.

For the second consecutive year, Villalobos inaugurated the Banana Flour Processing and Dehydrating Plant in Coahuayana as part of the Fertilizers for Well-Being program, which benefits the region's small—and medium-scale producers. The minister stressed that the new plant would explore alternatives to grain imports and high-nutritional-content options, benefiting national food security.

The initiative aligns with the Recovery of Banana Plantations' Productive Capacity project, launched in response to the damage caused by hurricanes Grace and Nora and tropical storm Dolores. This project was allocated a budget of MX$ 31.2 million (US$1.6 million) to assist affected producers in Colima, Nayarit, Jalisco, Puebla, Tabasco, Veracruz, and Michoacan.

In Michoacan, MX$5 million was allocated to benefit 150 producers to recover plantations of over 1,029ha. Villalobos reiterated that the current federal administration's Sectoral Program aims to achieve a productive, inclusive, and sustainable agricultural sector with differentiated policies for producers. Meanwhile, Santiago Arguello, General Coordinator of Agriculture, noted that Coahuayana inspired the farm sector's economic policy. This policy will utilise 30-40% of banana and other fruit waste, contributing to food security with national sovereignty.

Alfredo Ramírez, Governor of Michoacan, acknowledged federal support for the agricultural sector through various social programs and strategic projects, enhancing the well-being of producers, mainly small-scale farmers of corn, sorghum, wheat, lentils, bananas, guavas, avocados, and other crops. Moreover, he emphasised the need to strengthen actions like the reactivation of the Lazaro Cárdenas fertiliser plant to continue supporting Mexican agriculture and achieve food self-sufficiency.

The Fertilisers for Well-Being program is projected to assist 79,684 producers in Michoacan this year with 43,390 t of fertilisers, covering 144,728ha. Areli Cerón, Program Coordinator, highlighted that this represents a 24% increase from 2023, with 34,220t already delivered to 114,150 producers, 35% of whom are women. Likewise, she noted that the program reduces grain imports, lowers input costs, strengthens energy and food self-sufficiency, and ensures better social and economic welfare for rural communities.