Asunción, Agencia IP.- A project promoted by the Government of Paraguay, with support from Korea, seeks to strengthen the production, storage, and marketing capacities of vegetables in the departments of Central, Paraguarí, Cordillera, and Caaguazú. The initiative will directly benefit around 2,000 producers organized into 17 associations.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAG) and the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) are implementing the project titled «Strengthening Horticultural Competitiveness through the Development of Producer Associations in Paraguay (HORTICOM),» with a total investment of $ 12 million, the project is expected to run until 2028.
As part of this ambitious plan, a technical delegation from MAG recently participated in a training course in South Korea, visiting model facilities, logistics centers, and marketing spaces to learn about the most efficient practices of the Korean horticultural system.
Minister Carlos Giménez, accompanied by the Vice Minister of Livestock and the directors of Agricultural Extension and Marketing, participated in this learning experience.
«This project not only involves technical assistance but also the transfer of technology and equipment, which will allow our producers to access markets with higher added value. We want family farming to become a real business,» stated the minister during an interview with the National Radio.
One of the central pillars of the project will be the installation of a collection and sorting center in Blas Garay, Caaguazú department. This center will feature infrastructure and equipment similar to those used in Korea: quality-based classification, visual inspection, differentiated packaging, and labeling. These improvements will optimize the marketing of products such as tomatoes, potatoes, onions, and bell peppers — key crops in Paraguay’s horticultural sector.
The system is intended to be replicated in other strategic areas of the country, enabling farming organizations to sell directly to supermarkets and distribution centers, thereby shortening the supply chain and improving the incomes of small producers.
«Product presentation is key. We aim to break the cycle of selling at a low price at the farm gate while others benefit from the higher profit margins. That’s why MAG is committed to enabling producers themselves to sort, package, and market their produce with the quality standards the market demands,» said Giménez.
The project also includes a continuous technical training plan and the development of public policies to ensure its sustainability beyond the current government term. In this regard, the institutional strengthening of participating organizations will be emphasized, enabling them to manage and sustain their achievements independently.
In addition to improving horticultural competitiveness, HORTICOM aligns with the goals of the «Zero Hunger Program» promoted by the Paraguayan Government, facilitating access to fresh family-farm products within the school feeding system.
«We are convinced that this project represents a historic opportunity for Paraguayan horticulture. If we can consolidate these practices, we not only improve productivity but also restore dignity to thousands of rural families who depend on the land,» the Minister concluded.