The Mexican government has officially announced the dissolution of Seguridad Alimentaria Mexicana (Segalmex), with plans to merge the agency with Diconsa. This decision was formalized through a decree published on January 21, 2023, in the Diario Oficial de la Federación, which creates a framework for the merger and outlines the timeline for its completion.
According to the decree, Segalmex will undergo a desincorporation by merger process with Diconsa, which is under the purview of the Secretaría de Agricultura y Desarrollo Rural (Sader). The authorities have been granted 24 months to finalize this merger, with specific deadlines for transferring various resources and assets.
“Se ordena la desincorporación por fusión de Seguridad Alimentaria Mexicana, como entidad fusionada, con Diconsa, como entidad fusionante, conforme a lo establecido en la Ley Federal de las Entidades Paraestatales,” the decree states, clearly indicating the legal framework guiding this significant reform.
Segalmex was established back in 2019 by the administration of former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador. The agency's main objective was to promote food security and nutritional well-being among the Mexican population through support programs for small producers and effective distribution of basic food staples.
Unfortunately, Segalmex is also notorious for becoming embroiled in major corruption scandals. While aimed at enhancing agricultural productivity, internal investigations revealed troubling statistics. According to the Secretaría de la Función Pública, irregular handling related to at least 9.5 billion pesos occurred between 2019 and 2020. These findings have tarnished the agency's mission and brought scrutiny upon its operations.
The issues surrounding Segalmex were serious enough to warrant investigations of various officials. Reports indicate at least 22 government employees at Segalmex have been under investigation due to their involvement with extensive mismanagement and corruption. A notable figure during these inquiries was René Gavira, the former head of Segalmex, who faced charges related to organized crime, illicit financial operations, and embezzlement exceeding 142 million pesos.
“El manejo irregular de al menos nueve mil 500 millones de pesos entre 2019 y 2020,” the report cites, emphasizing the significance of the corruption allegations. This scenario necessitated drastic measures, eventually leading to the dissolution of the agency.
The decree mandates Segalmex to create an inventory of its assets and also requires it to remain accountable to the Secretaría de Anticorrupción y Buen Gobierno through inspections and audits. Meanwhile, Diconsa, the entity merging with Segalmex, must provide monthly updates to the Secretaría de Agricultura on the merger's progress.
Another key aspect involves the transfer of human resources and financial assets. Diconsa faces the additional responsibility to manage the transition efficiently, ensuring compliance with all relevant administrative obligations and tax requirements. Diconsa will need to conduct necessary corporate actions as the majority stakeholder to effectively execute this merger.
This merger marks a pivotal shift aimed primarily at reforming Mexico's food security approach and addressing the corruption challenges faced by Segalmex. While earlier attempts to provide support to local food producers and maintain nutritional standards were hindered by mismanagement, the government hopes this new structure will facilitate improved efficacy and accountability.
Further, the Ministry of Agriculture will oversee the operational aspects of this merger, indicating its direct involvement with the changing agricultural sector. Through improved oversight and clear reporting lines, officials aim to restore public trust following the controversies surrounding Segalmex.
While skepticism remains about how effectively this merger will eliminate the issues previously encountered, it is certainly seen as a needed reform within Mexico's governmental agencies aimed at enhancing the integrity and reliability of food security initiatives.
Over the coming months, as the integration of Segalmex and Diconsa progresses, onlookers will be closely watching how well the Mexican government addresses past failures and what this means for the country’s agricultural policies moving forward. Success will depend largely on transparency, adherence to established timelines, and unwavering commitment to fighting corruption within its ranks.