Report: Official Says Dealers Could Teach Farmers

Mexican Official Raises Hackles By Reportedly Saying Farmers Could Learn From Traffickers

(AP)  MEXICO CITY (AP) - A Mexican agriculture official has caused a stir by reportedly suggesting that Mexican farmers could learn a thing or two from drug traffickers.

Assistant Secretary of Agriculture Jeffrey Max Jones was quoted by the newspaper Reforma on its Web site Wednesday as saying that farmers "should follow the example of drug traffickers because they produce what the market demands."

"Today, on the other hand, farmers produce (crops) and later check to see if there is any demand in the market."

The Agriculture Department issued a statement calling Jones' remarks "unfortunate."

More than 13,800 people have died in drug violence since late 2006, when President Felipe Calderon ordered a nationwide crackdown on traffickers.