Peru: the Thematic Group studies the potential of agroproduction chains to increase profitability of some agricultural products

"Agroproduction chains constitute an optimal mechanism for coordinating the state, institutions, different trades and the market." In this way, last 21 March, the Agriculture Ministry of Peru introduced the meeting of the Thematic Group on Production Chains. The meeting, with 27 participants, was attended by the representative from the FAO in Brazil, José Tubino, the ministers of agriculture and fishing, delegates from several cooperation agencies, NGOs, universities and producer organizations. The aim was to study the development strategy of the production chains for some products such as hard yellow corn, poultry and pigs, and to determine their impact on the international market. In addition, two pilot experiments of chains in the fishing sector were presented.
During their presentation, the minister of agriculture identified a number of limitations for the small producers of the forest areas and coast of the country: fragmentation of property, lack of property deeds, scant use of improved seeds, lack of crop financing, weak employer organization. "The production chains," assured the minister, "could encounter some of these problems, with the aim of boosting productivity on the coast and in the forest areas, and reduce import of some products, particularly hard yellow corn from 48% to 17% of the national demand."

Other points debated during the meeting included the need to establish the profile of integral producers of the chain in relation to their perspective over the middle and long term, and the need to train producers in the efficient establishment of these chains.

Finally, the representative of the FAO in Brazil presented strategies that have given good results in the country: the export of chickens has risen notably thanks to the search for alternative markets such as Russia, China, Arab countries and Europe. Tubino emphasized that the agroproduction chains were compatible with the cooperatives and associations of producers, and he stressed the need to take into account that one of the prime problems to overcome in these structures is post-harvest handling, which is responsible for major losses.

At the meeting, the group also served to distribute informative material on the World Food Summit: five years later, and to establish the upcoming themes to be debated within the group: the relationship between poverty, environment and sustainable development; rural development and the forestry sector as well as the situation of the programme: "Let's Get to Work."

For more information, please contact FAO-PER@field.fao.org