Agroindustry Success has been in the biotechnology industry for 20 years. From the microbiology of Guatemala – among which fungi and bacteria that proliferate thanks to the diversity of microclimates of the country – have replaced the use of agrochemicals for the control of pests, diseases and bionutrition. Thus, from Success they replace conventional fertilizers.
Diseases such as COVID-19, Barredor worm and avian influenza are outbreaks that have been developed due to agroclimatic instability, according to Rafael Zavala, representative of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). “They are much more frequent and much more common,” says Zavala.
In response to this situation, Carlos Marinelli, coordinator of the Agricultural Agricultural Suppliers Commission, points out that biotechnology could result in products with low chemical load and resistance to pests and diseases.
Another reason to develop these new technologies, in addition to health, is climate change. According to Yolanda Mayora, agexport sustainability manager, the greatest risk that agriculture is currently facing is climate change. “In Guatemala, temperature increases from three to six degrees are projected by the end of the century,” says Mayora, who adds that, based on these scenarios, the country’s farmers must begin to adapt.
“The fact of being one of the countries with the highest agroclimatic risk requires a better use of water and a better application of technology,” says Zavala. For the FAO representative, Guatemala should be a leader in diverse irrigation systems; However, he points out that the technological index in this area is very low.
According to Rafael López, Director of Geographic Information, Strategic and Risk Management of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food (MAGA), currently the integration of technology is part of a development plan, although it emphasizes that there is no strategy to implement said model in the short term.
Technology in agriculture, what is the plan?
Marinelli says that, in addition, biotechnology could benefit products in nutritional aspects. “Having a plant with biotechnology we can contribute better nutrients to the harvest,” says Marinelli.
However, to implement these new tools, Zavala argues that the necessary conditions for producers must first be established. “An example of this is the hand -to -hand program, the infrastructure and the avenues for good living.”
Then, the FAO representative stressed that the projects must be identified, which should not be less than four years, and provide them with accompaniment. This accompaniment, according to Zavala, must be technological and associative. In addition, another necessary condition is access to credits to finance the projects that you want to implement in the industry.
According to Zavala, to the extent that these conditions are generated by the public sector, it will be necessary to involve other actors, such as private initiative, both large companies and small producers.
Marinelli expresses that this strategy and the use of biotechnology should focus on regions such as the west of the country, since in that area most of the production of vegetables is concentrated. However, he details that there are also other sectors, such as Petén, where Palma is grown, and Cobán, where Cardamomo is produced; so it is necessary to develop activities of this type throughout the country.
Climate change
“Agriculture has to begin to adopt best practices,” says Mayora, who points out that agribusiness must begin to seek strategies for climate resilience, innovation and technology, in addition to sustainable management of resources. According to Zavala, Guatemala is one of the most critical countries in terms of agroclimatic risk, so it is necessary to implement a more robust information strategy.
The problems, according to Mayora, come from water and soils. Despite having abundant surface waters, the problem lies in water quality and pollution, Mayora explains.
According to data provided by López, from the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food (MAGA) various vulnerable areas have been identified due to climate changes. In Guatemala, 79 municipalities have a very high risk, 147 have a high risk and 113 have an average risk. According to López, in these areas corn, beans, cardamom, coffee and sesame are cultivated.
What is currently being done?
Pablo Zamora, Operations Manager in Dutch Orchids, points out that, from its plant, technological advances have been made to simulate the necessary climatic conditions for flower production. These include the control of the environment within the greenhouses, as well as temperature, relative humidity, light and irrigation system.
According to Success, this type of technologies arise due to the high demand for healthy products. The company indicates that the use of biotechnology in the industry has grown at a rate of 18% year -on -year, so, by 2030, it is estimated that there is equity between the consumption of agrochemicals and biological products.
Mayora argues that, currently, in Guatemala you can see productive models on climatic issues, oriented to climate prediction and irrigation management. It also emphasizes that biofertilizers and biopesticides have been developed that seek to protect the soil. “We also have other technologies to increase productivity, such as Big Data and artificial intelligence, which analyze in real time how pests and diseases are behaving,” says Mayora.
On the other hand, Marinelli mentioned that in Guatemala, connectivity technologies have also been promoted to have real -time information about what happens in plots, in addition to the use of geoposition.
According to Mayora, in Guatemala some companies dedicated to specific products have already been involved in biotechnology. He says that sugar mills have circular energy models, using cane waste for energy production. For their part, banana producers use technological methodologies to be more productive and efficient.
What was already done and what to do?
According to Mayora, to achieve a better incorporation of biotechnology it is necessary to have incentives, especially by the government. However, he points out that the entire chain of producers must also be involved. “The Government plays here an important role, and the issue of agricultural insurance is relevant to small producers, in addition to the training and development of technologies.”
Zavala reveals that, together with the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food (MAGA) and the Ministry of Economy (Mineco), agroclimatic tables have been implemented, in which the risk of producers is managed to determine when it is possible to sow, market and what improvements should be made on soils in order to reduce the agroclimatic risk. This, according to Zavala, will be essential to prevent floods, droughts and generate strategies to condition the soil.
López emphasizes that, together with FAO, an application for planting estimate is being developed, through the implementation of climatic data and the variability of the climate and soil. According to López, the first test will be carried out in Chiquimula, where farmers will be able to have information about the soil state, the planned climatic conditions and the productive capacity of the land they seek to use.
However, for Zavala, introducing new technologies into the Guatemalan agro requires aspects such as infrastructure improvement: “There are certain preconditions so that an agricultural project linked to the market can be successful.” In addition, he points out that producers must establish alliances and access credit, especially in rural areas, with the aim of generating agri -food systems and advancing in the transformation of products.
Zavala also mentions that it is necessary to have legal certainty and advance in the regularization of the land, as well as have a proposal of the land fund that is accompanied by production processes and concrete projects. On the other hand, Marinelli argues that digital accessibility is a point to improve, since the country does not have a sufficiently wide digitalization and connectivity network.
Greater competitiveness
It is estimated that there are currently around 200 thousand family production units with the capacity to generate decent jobs through agricultural activity and produce food for both national and international consumption, ”says Zavala, who points out that, to make agriculture into an economic engine in Guatemala, it is necessary to incorporate new technologies.
From these technologies, Mayora indicates that it is possible to capture the traceability of the products, a requirement in regions such as the United States and the European Union, where their supply chains are required to have this component. This, according to Mayora, allows the country to obtain certifications that facilitate greater access and competitiveness in international markets.
Marinelli adds that implementing regenerative strategies in crops contributes to obtaining ecological certificates, which are increasingly demanded.
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