Cover photo: Training on USMCA in the Municipality of Camargo, Chihuahua, Mexico, for a chile producer, in collaboration with their team, including operational and field personnel.
As we wrap up 2023, the Proyecto Sustentar team extends our gratitude and appreciation for your continued support and partnership to strengthen labor compliance and competitiveness of Mexico’s tomato and chile industries. As the second year of Sustentar’s implementation, 2023 brought significant growth and acceleration in the project. We look forward to continuing to build upon this work with you and all our partners in the new year.
Our Year in Numbers
44
field visits
8
partnerships with growers
2
partnerships with processors
1
retailer partnership
18
labor recruiters reached
Sustentar began the year by conducting in-depth research on the tomato and chile pepper industries in Baja California, Baja California Sur, and Chihuahua, involving extensive site visits and consultations with experts. Through this study, the project team deepened our understanding of ongoing challenges within the industries and adapted Sustentar’s planned activities over the next four years to better address labor issues.
We then conducted a rigorous validation process with growers, civil society organizations, indigenous authorities and local government in Chihuahua from May to August. This stage included meetings, interviews, workshops, trainings and technical assistance with two pivotal growers in the region, providing valuable insights for improvements to the project design. Following the validation, we initiated six partnerships in Chihuahua. Partner growers receive customized training and guidance from Sustentar to develop robust social compliance systems and continually improve their compliance and performance. Read more about our new partnerships in Chihuahua here. We are currently in the validation process in Baja California and Baja California Sur, communicating with key stakeholders in the region to gather their feedback on the project’s goals and proposed activities.
We look forward to building strong partnerships with the private sector and communities in 2024 and working together to improve labor practices and strengthen Mexico’s tomato and chile industries.
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