Agriculture plays an important but declining role in the Mexican economy. In 2003 primary agriculture accounted for about 5% of GDP and 16% of employment compared to 8% and 27% respectively in 1990 [1] (Figure 3.18.1). Nevertheless, 25% of Mexico’s 103 million population live and work in rural, largely agricultural, areas. The rural population has increased by nearly 2 million over the past decade [2]. Mexico’s agricultural sector is one of the most rapidly growing among OECD countries. The volume of agricultural production rose by 34% between 1990-92 and 2002-04, with crop production increasing by 26% and livestock 51% (Figures 3.18.2 and 3.18.3). The area farmed rose by 3%; while the volume of inputs also increased by 22% for pesticides, and 21% for direct on-farm energy consumption, although the use of phosphorus fertilisers remained stable, and nitrogen fertiliser use declined (–5%), as did the use of water (–10%) (Figures 3.18.2 and 3.18.4). Production is expanding by improving efficiency and increasing use of capital-intensive technologies. Nevertheless, farming is characterised by diverse structure and production systems. Large commercial arable farms, largely in the north, are capital intensive and rely on irrigation and purchased inputs. There are also range fed cattle and intensive pig and poultry operations in the north. Subsistence farms, mainly in the centre and south, grow staples such as maize and beans. The southern tropical zone has plantations and subsistence producers of coffee, sugarcane and bananas [2, 3].