MEXICO CITY, April 25 (Xinhua) -- Mexican President Felipe Calderon said Friday that farmers would receive additional backing if his energy reform bill is approved, local media reported.

    "The reform that we are giving impulse to regarding Pemex (the Mexican state-run oil company), in the event of it being approved by Congress, would revitalize the country's refinery and petrochemical industry and substantially raise fertilizer production in the national territory," Calderon said.

    He said that import costs would be reduced, and so would the costs for farmers growing crops.

    On April 8, Calderon submitted an energy reform bill to Congress aimed at boosting the declining output of Mexico's state-owned oil company.

    The proposal drew strong skepticism among lawmakers as the opposition accused it of opening the door for the state-run oil sector's privatization and thus violating the Constitution.

    Mexican agriculture is almost in complete impoverishment, and farmers reject the North America Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), because they consider that U.S. and Canadian producers enjoy more protection from their governments.