New Frontier Center

There are currently no international think tanks promoting sustainable rural development through analyzing and solving the problem of decent housing and decent jobs for low-skilled workers in Mexico as a countermeasure to illegal migration. For example, in 2019 alone, 5.3 million rural low-skilled Mexican workers were affected by the lack of attention to this problem and migrated illegally to the US*.

Regarding the factors contributing to the problem and relating to our solution: 

(1) Addressing the wage and housing problems is crucial for improving the lives of Mexican agricultural workers. Decent wages and housing are essential for decent working conditions and reducing migration. It would also contribute to a more stable and prosperous Mexico, as unstable housing leads to job loss (Desmond & Gershenson, 2016).

(2) Mexico is a unique case, being an OECD nation with high levels of income inequality and undergoing various socioeconomic and institutional changes with varying degrees of regional growth (Mendoza et al. 2019): legal, organized migration within Mexico must be promoted to curb illegal migration to the US.

(3) Improving working conditions in the Mexican agricultural sector is crucial for reducing migration to the United States and improving the lives of Mexican workers. Recent reforms in Mexico's labor laws and the inclusion of labor provisions in the USMCA are important steps, but more work needs to be done (Rosenbloom and Batalova 2022).

(4) Challenges in implementing reforms include a lack of detailed local-level analysis. National and state-level assessments may miss abuse/mistreatment, and it's important to differentiate between export vs. domestic farms (Rosenbloom and Batalova 2022).

(5) The intensification of agriculture and reliance on irrigation have made rural communities more vulnerable to drought, leading to loss of crops and livelihoods and increased international migration. To address the root causes of migration, changes in agriculture and water management practices must be integrated into migration policies and programs to reduce the negative impact of drought and support sustainable rural development (Fishman & Li, 2022). 

In conclusion, improving the working conditions of Mexican agricultural workers is not only important for reducing migration to the United States, but also for improving the lives of Mexican workers and creating a more stable and prosperous Mexico. The reforms and agreements in place provide a foundation for progress, but it is up to all of us to ensure that these reforms are effectively implemented and make a real difference for Mexican workers (Rosenbloom and Batalova 2022).

Mendoza, A., Rubio, M., & Conde, L. (2022). Fiscal decentralization and regional economic growth: Evidence from Mexico since the 2000s. Public Budgeting & Finance, 42(1), 45-65.

Rosenbloom & Batalova (2022) Mexican Immigrants in the United States, On-line Journal of the Migration Policy Institute

Desmond & Gershenson, Housing and Employment Insecurity among the Working Poor, Social Problems, Volume 63, Issue 1, February 2016, Pages 46–67

Fishman & Li, Agriculture, irrigation and drought induced international migration: Evidence from Mexico, Global Environmental Change, Vol 75, 2022

*https://www.migrationpolicy.org/article/mexican-immigrants-united-states

An innovative solution is to build a think tank that produces sustainable development & migration research, influences national policies and sets an international example by providing decent housing and high-tech greenhouses to produce high-quality vegetables for the North American market, initially attracting a workforce of 45 low-skilled workers and other high skilled ones. This approach provides steady jobs, decent pay, and housing, reducing the desire for migration. 

Unlike current migration policies, which often lead to repression and violence (Sanchez, 2021), this solution is non-coercive, highly scalable, and promotes rural development and commerce, while providing job security, producing a local spillover effect and reducing the impact of drought through water conservation. As the socially responsible jobs grow, wages in the region are also expected to increase (Kletzer, 1998).

Fishman & Li, Agriculture, irrigation and drought induced international migration: Evidence from Mexico, Global Environmental Change, Vol 75, 2022,
Sanchez, G. "Time for a wake-up call? Mexico and Central America and their present and future migration policy challenges." MIGRATION 11.1 (2021).
Kletzer, L. 1998. “Job Displacement.” Journal of Economic Perspectives 12:115–36.

The Target Population of this project is Latino and Indigenous low-income males and females between the ages of 18 and 65. These individuals are more likely to have lower rates of educational attainment and be employed in service, natural resources, construction and maintenance, and production, transportation, and material moving occupations. This group is particularly vulnerable to exclusion and disproportionately affected by racial discrimination, economic hardship, and exploitation. Additionally, they often have limited proficiency in both English and Spanish. In the beginning, the highly scalable solution will provide decent jobs to 45 workers and decent housing to them and to 4 members of their immediate family. Through the construction and operation of a 5 hectare high-tech greenhouse: these people's lives will benefit from steady income and steady housing so their lives will experience more happy coincidences that will lead to a better human development of their families. After the greenhouse operation is profitable (1 year), the New Frontier Center will begin think tank operations such as: influence policy makers (through research and promotion) in the direction of the center's aims which are totally in favor of providing sustainable decent housing & jobs to low-skilled workers all over Mexico.

We are a multidisciplinary socially aware team. The team leader is researcher and a university teacher who is well versed in sustainable rural development and has worked at US funded NGO's dealing with indigenous rights in northern México. The other members are experienced agronomists,  rural development professionals and former government employees.

Since it is a concept it is not currently serving anyone.

Because:

(1) The SOLVE platform would provide exposure to the world and to Academia as well as help to connect with monetary support. 

2) Solve could help us connect with like minded people that will help us advance our interests and ideas. 

3) We can use all the coaching we can get. 

The intensification of agriculture and reliance on irrigation have made rural communities more vulnerable to drought, leading to loss of crops and livelihoods and increased international migration. To address the root causes of migration, changes in agriculture and water management practices must be integrated into migration policies and programs to reduce the negative impact of drought and support sustainable rural development (Fishman & Li, 2022). An innovative solution is to build decent housing along with high-tech greenhouses to produce high-quality vegetables for the North American market, initially attracting a workforce of 45 low-skilled workers and other high skilled ones. This approach provides steady jobs, decent pay, and housing, reducing the desire for migration. Unlike current migration policies, which often lead to repression and violence, this solution is non-coercive, highly scalable, and promotes rural development and commerce, while providing job security and reducing the impact of drought through water conservation (Sanchez, 2021). As the socially responsible greenhouse acreage grows, wages in the region are also expected to increase (Kletzer, 1998).

Fishman & Li, Agriculture, irrigation and drought induced international migration: Evidence from Mexico, Global Environmental Change, Vol 75, 2022
Sanchez, G. "Time for a wake-up call? Mexico and Central America and their present and future migration policy challenges." MIGRATION 11.1 (2021).
Kletzer, L. 1998. “Job Displacement.” Journal of Economic Perspectives 12:115–36.

The New Frontier Center building, a high-tech greenhouse, and housing project in northern Mexico, has the potential to achieve significant social outcomes over the long term. By promoting sustainable agricultural practices, the center could improve the productivity of the county of Cusihuiriachi, create jobs, and improve the quality of life for workers and their families.

The center could also have a positive impact on national and international policy by promoting socially responsible practices and advancing rural development. This could lead to economic growth, improved business conditions, and the creation of sustainable jobs, providing Mexican workers with an incentive to stay in Mexico and contribute to its economic development.

While it is difficult to estimate the number of people who will be served by the project over the next three years, the estimated number of workers and their families who will benefit from the rent-free apartment building is 225 people for low-skilled workers and 15 people for skilled workers. The New Frontier Center's activities could help keep 5.3 million Mexican migrants** in Mexico through the international promotion of sustainable rural development. On the other hand, US per capita consumption of bell peppers in 2020 was 10 pounds a year*. So, in this regard the center would benefit 1.5 million US consumers.

Moreover, the center could serve as a think tank for Mexican policy makers, promoting the creation of socially responsible rural companies providing free housing and employment for low-skilled workers who might otherwise migrate due to climate change and other unfavorable conditions. By doing so, the center could help create a more prosperous and sustainable future for both Mexican workers and North American consumers benefiting from high-quality, fairly priced vegetables.

*https://www-statista-com.ezproxyberklee.flo.org/statistics/257339/per-capita-consumption-of-fresh-bell-peppers-in-the-us/
**https://www.migrationpolicy.org/article/mexican-immigrants-united-states

To test the key assumptions towards our impact goals and measure the success of the intervention, the following methodology will be used:

Impact evaluation: This will be a causal evaluation method to determine the effect of aid targeting rural development on emigration from Mexico.
a) Research questions: What is the effect of rural development aid on migrant outflows from Mexico? How does the growth of the protected agriculture sector impact emigration?
b) Sampling frame: The study will be conducted in rural areas of Mexico with a focus on farmers involved in protected agriculture.
c) Power calculations: The sample size will be calculated based on the desired level of precision, effect size, and statistical significance.
d) Unit of randomization and randomization strategy: A randomized control trial (RCT) design will be used where villages will be randomly assigned to receive or not receive the rural development aid.

Surveys and interviews: Surveys and interviews with farmers and stakeholders involved in protected agriculture will be conducted to gather data on the impact of the innovation on development outcomes. The data collected will help to understand the changes in livelihoods, income, and emigration patterns in rural areas.

Case studies: Case studies will be conducted in selected communities to provide qualitative insights into the impact of the innovation on rural development and emigration.

Monitoring and evaluation: The study will be continuously monitored and evaluated to ensure that data is being collected accurately and to make any necessary adjustments to the methodology.

Steps to ensure the findings influence future policy, programming, or widespread adoption:

Dissemination of findings: The findings of the study will be disseminated to relevant stakeholders including policy-makers, development organizations, and the academic community through presentations, publications, and workshops.

Engagement with stakeholders: Stakeholder engagement will be an ongoing process throughout the study to ensure that findings are being used to inform future policy and programming.

Replication of the study: The study will be designed in such a way that it can be replicated in other countries to build evidence and provide a solid foundation for policy change.

Continuation of monitoring and evaluation: Monitoring and evaluation of the innovation's social impact will continue at scale to ensure that the findings are still relevant and accurate. 

Gamso and Yuldashev (2018) hypothesized that aid targeting rural development would reduce emigration from recipient countries. Imbert and Papp (2018) found similar evidence that a rural employment program in India can raise rural wages and decrease migration. In Mexico, the protected agriculture sector is expanding, providing job opportunities and the potential to keep workers in the country. Job satisfaction, as noted in studies by Kaya & Curran (2006), is crucial in workers' decisions to stay or leave a job. Affordable edge cities with green infrastructure and policies promoting healthy living can address housing shortages near employment and transportation, as discussed by Loo & Chou (2011), while companies offering free or subsidized housing, as noted by Thompson and Phua (2012), can improve family stability and well-being.

Low-wage workers in Mexico typically earn around 9K pesos ($473) per month or less, with basic food and housing costs leaving little for other expenses (https://rb.gy/7zossi). Decentralizing the population and providing rent-free housing could save workers many hours of commuting, liberate a portion of their income, and improve their quality of life.

In conclusion, the theory of change is that aid targeting rural development in Mexico through the expansion of the protected agriculture sector can reduce emigration by providing job opportunities and improving job satisfaction. This is supported by evidence from previous studies that show that rural employment programs can raise rural wages and decrease migration, and that job satisfaction is crucial in workers' decisions to stay or leave a job.

 Additionally, providing affordable edge cities with green infrastructure and policies promoting healthy living, and companies offering free or subsidized housing, can address housing shortages near employment and transportation, improving family stability and well-being. By addressing the recognized need for high-quality vegetables at fair prices (with the added value of social responsibility), helping us in these areas can provide valuable data to complement and enhance the existing body of knowledge, serving as a powerful example for policymakers and politicians to promote socially responsible rural development as a game-changing strategy. 

Gamso, J., & F. Yuldashev. "Does rural development aid reduce international migration?." World Development 110 (2018): 268-282. 

Imbert, Clément, and John Papp. "Short-term migration, rural public works, and urban labor markets: Evidence from India." J. Euro Econ Assoc 18.2 (2020): 927-963. 

Kaya, S., & Curran, P. J. (2006). Monitoring urban growth on the European side of the Istanbul metropolitan area: A case study. International journal of applied earth observation and geoinformation, 8(1), 18-25. 

Loo, B. P., & Chow, A. S. (2011). Jobs-housing balance in an era of population decentralization: An analytical framework and a case study. Journal of Transport Geography, 19(4), 552-562. 

Thompson, E. R., & Phua, F. T. (2012). A brief index of affective job satisfaction. Group & Organization Management, 37(3), 275-307.

Regarding the free Housing for the workers, we will be seeking platinum leed certified construction and have been in touch with Douglas Deboer from Rebel Design in California. The building will treat its sewage and it will collect rain water.

In the case of the greenhouse, we have been in contact with many suppliers but have been most impressed with ULMA greenhouses and would like to go high tech because of the local climate conditions and the ability to produce more kilograms per square meter while keeping quality high. 

Our approach to incorporating diversity, equity, and inclusivity into our work is to ensure that our communications and behavior are unbiased, respectful, and inclusive of all individuals regardless of their race, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic that makes them unique.

To achieve this, we rely on the following strategies:

Using inclusive language: We aim to use gender-neutral language and avoid language that is exclusive or offensive to any particular group.

Providing diverse perspectives: We strive to provide a range of perspectives and viewpoints on a given topic to ensure that all voices are heard and represented.

Being open-minded: We remain open to learning about different cultures, perspectives, and experiences to broaden our understanding of the world.

Avoiding stereotypes: We make a conscious effort to avoid stereotypes and promote positive representations of all individuals and communities.

Acknowledging and addressing bias: We recognize that all individuals have biases and work to address our own biases to ensure that our responses are fair and equitable.

Overall, our goal is to create an environment that is welcoming and inclusive to all individuals and to promote diversity and equity in our work.

this is a concept, we are currently not generating income