Mexico’s “Vaquitas del Bienestar” program, initiated under former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, faces scrutiny over financial mismanagement. The program, meant to boost livestock and dairy production, resulted in nearly one billion pesos in losses due to the purchase of poor-quality cattle.
The “Vaquitas del Bienestar” program, launched in 2019 under former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, was intended to strengthen Mexico’s self-sufficiency in meat and dairy production. However, recent audits and reports reveal that nearly 958 million pesos were lost due to mismanagement and improper cattle purchases.
The initiative, officially named “Crédito Ganadero a la Palabra,” aimed to repopulate Mexico’s livestock sector with one million heifers and 50,000 bulls. The government planned to support farmers in multiple states by providing high-quality livestock to enhance milk and meat production. However, the program failed due to poor planning and the lack of a structured diagnostic report.
Instead of acquiring healthy, productive cattle, the government procured old, low-quality, and even sick livestock. This led to significant financial losses and backlash from beneficiaries, who reported receiving substandard animals that harmed their existing herds. Farmers from states like Veracruz, Jalisco, and Chiapas, where the program was actively implemented, have voiced frustration over the mismanagement.
An audit of the program found that much of the planned livestock repopulation did not materialize. Furthermore, in 2022, the government removed the requirement for farmers to return animals, effectively conceding financial losses. Critics argue that corruption and favoritism in procurement further exacerbated the program’s failure.
The controversy surrounding “Vaquitas del Bienestar” has raised concerns over government-led agricultural initiatives and their long-term impact on Mexico’s livestock and dairy sectors. While the administration under President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo has yet to address corrective measures, industry stakeholders urge greater oversight in future programs.
