Tell me about the Agriculture sector within the past three years?
A global concept that is being marked amongst the achievements of the peace agreements that have aspects in what is agriculture and rural development as you know are defined within the politics of state. It has to do with a long term agenda for the development of the country. If we discuss more specifically the agriculture sector in regards to traditional agriculture, Guatemala's principal export products are coffee, sugar cane, cardamom and before there was cotton which now has almost disappeared. The producers of these products receive full official support because they have been and continue to be the most competitive products. Nevertheless, there is the politics of diversification of the production of nontraditional products such as fruits, vegetables and ornamental plants. This has to do with not only the diversification of the products but also their exportation which pertains to the use of natural resources and with the creation of other means of employment in the rural areas that are permanent throughout the whole year. Also more specialization in manual labor so that we can compete globally with certain products.
How is the growth of the agricultural products that are being developing in the market?
In terms of coffee, we cannot change from one day to another. We have sold a lot increasing the production of the coffee. But even though the prices are depressing, we have to continue with them. Actually, we have 20,000 hectors to produce nontraditional products and for next year we want to increase that number by another 65,000. A list of 25 products of which 10 of those products have maximum priority after studying the competitiveness of the market will be grown in this new area.
What can you tell me about the competitiveness of the agro products in Guatemala compared to others in Central America?
If we are talking about the traditional products, I think that Guatemala is on top of the rest in sugar and coffee. With the cardamom we hardly have any competition in Central America and Guatemala has become the largest exporter in the world. However, in regards to the banana for example, the situation is much better in Honduras and Costa Rica. There are other products as well in which we have no competition, for example in apple, pear, peach and plum production we have all the conditions necessary and this permits us to open our market to the Central American and Caribbean markets.
In terms of product exportation, what are the markets for agricultural products?
Primarily Central America and the Caribbean, the United States, Canada and Europe.
And the relation with the European Community?
There we export the traditional products. But in fruits, like the mango for example, we are exporting a lot to Europe.
Let's talk a little more about coffee: what makes Guatemalan coffee so unique?
The fact is that Guatemala has a large amplitude of climates within its territory. There are about 5 or 6 different types of coffee known worldwide which have a flavor and aroma distinctive of the certain region that it comes from. Furthermore, the coffee is sometimes mixed with other coffees that are not of the same altitude and they are combinations that are made for a special market. We haven't done a big promotional campaign as Columbia has but we have our own specialty in terms of the quality because the major part of our coffee is cultivated in medium and high zones in respect to the sea level. | What initiatives is the Agriculture sector taking in terms of the promotion of its products, do you have a specific strategy for international exportation?
The only product where there is some promotion is coffee. The rest of our markets are pretty broad.
For Guatemala, is it necessary to give a platform for investment, is it necessary to open the doors more to the whole world so that they can see your products, people and labor?
There is a special agency, AGEXPRONT, that is responsible for projects together with the ministry concerning product diversification and exportation.
What can you tell us about the protection of the environment while the products are cultivated?
Guatemala has one of the most highly protected areas in Central America and other countries because the coffee is cultivated under the shade. Also we have many projects directed by INAB that for three years have financed forestry incentives of small, medium and large products such as the replanting of forest areas that were torn down that now can be a forest. Nevertheless, the resources have been badly used. A lot of land that should be forests have been used for agriculture and livestock.
Are these projects that are done in collaboration with international organizations or support groups?
No, this is a national project. It is financed by the government given to those participants that enter in special reforest programs that have been very effective because it has achieved what it offered. This consists of a small, medium or large producer to do with all its force. That's to say to scatter seeds in the land of choice: once it can be verified that it has been scattered, the government as an incentive pays the people about 50% and in the next 5 years it gives the rest in such a manner that when the 6th year approaches, the forest would have already begun to harvest. There are other projects that are financed by outside resources in which the final objective is the protection of hydrographic valleys.
In your opinion, which of the sub sectors of the sectors are going have the best product in the next 5 to 10 years?
The sector of African Palm, macadamia, avocado and mango, within the permanent cultivations. Others that are less permanent as well such as the papaya, melon, and the chile pepper.
What image does the country have of your sector?
I can tell you about international organisms, in which I would tell you about the good image because they are working with us. The external vision can not be given for two reasons: the first reason because I do not know it and the second reason because I have just initiated it with the minister and I still do not know may aspects of it.
Do you have one last message to our readers?
To the investors in Guatemala there are open arms to them in the agriculture, forestry, livestock and hydro biological sectors, giving the largest opportunities for investment. Whatever information is wanted about these sectors they can contact us and without any hesitations we will provide it to them. |
