Cargill Inc.

02/25/2021 | Press release | Archived content

Cargill and Heifer International join forces to strengthen animal production in Central America

Central America (February 25, 2021) - Cargill's Animal Nutrition business and Heifer International joined forces to launch the Technical Improvement Project for Animal Production (PROMETE) in Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua, through which it seeks to recover and strengthen the productive capacity and entrepreneurship of 439 livestock producers in these three Central American countries.

The COVID-19 pandemic and hurricanes Eta and Iota caused serious damage to the production of small producers in Central America, leaving them without access to resources to maintain and strengthen the development of their production.

Thanks to its unique position, Cargill offers significant solutions that impact communities. Through this alliance, participants will have the appropriate tools and training to accelerate their recovery and improve their production capacities in the areas of fish, pig, and dairy farming.

The Central America project will have a total investment of US $138,132 and will be executed over the next 12 months.

'At Cargill, our work begins in the communities where thousands of producers produce the food that the world needs. We work with them to make sure they have access to the right tools and training. For this reason, we are pleased to be part of the development of these communities with corporate responsibility initiatives that integrate the technical knowledge of our commercial brands, with the support of a strategic partner such as Heifer,' said Tania Rojas, Executive Director of Cargill Animal Nutrition for Latin America Centro.

Gustavo Hernández Polanco, National Director of Heifer International Guatemala said, 'Small producers in Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua lost their animals and food sources, as well as other assets when they were hit by hurricanes Eta and Iota, leaving many without income. At Heifer International, we know that when they have diverse incomes, they are more resilient to the effects of climate change and other shocks. By partnering with Cargill, we are investing in training and supporting small producers, improving production facilities and agricultural inputs, enabling small producers to develop additional sources of income to end hunger and poverty in their communities. '

Investment by country

In Guatemala, the initiative will focus on serving 5 communities in the municipality of Raxruha, Alta Verapaz, with a local investment of US $41,677. By the end of the project, 80 rural families will have the technical knowledge and experience in fish farming, through the rearing and production of the Auris Nilotica (tilapia) species, and the rearing and management of landrace pigs.

In Honduras, with a local investment of US $41,677, the project will be developed at the El Sembrador School in Olancho. It is expected that with the implemented methodology, 159 students and technical teachers will improve their knowledge to optimize their dairy ventures and their income. Also, more producers in the sector will be able to learn through the transfer of knowledge and strengthen their production, marketing, and financial management capacities.

In Nicaragua, the support will be facilitated through the Nicacentro, San José, and Flor de Pancasán cooperatives around Matiguás, Matagalpa. The local investment will be US $41,260. The established goal is to improve the income of 200 producer families in the dairy sector, implement good livestock and manufacturing practices, ensure the hygiene and safety of the collection centers of the cooperatives to which they belong.