Business roundtables continue to ensure marketing for small producers and MSMEs in the Zero Hunger program

Photo: EBY

Asuncion, IP Agency.- In the departments of Ñeembucú and Boquerón, business meetings continued yesterday, Tuesday, linking small agricultural producers and MSMEs with companies awarded the contract to provide school meals, within the program “Zero Hunger in Schools.” Between both activities, Gs. 4,294 million were raised in business intentions.

Business meetings are held in different parts of the country, promoting interaction between the awarded companies and producers, seeking to dispel doubts, establish criteria, provide support and facilitate the requirements so that Family Farming production can access this marketing model.

According to data provided by the Vice Ministry of MSMEs, the two new editions carried out in the departments of Ñeembucú and Boquerón totaled around 72 participants.

In the department of Ñeembucú, a total of 51 organizations belonging to MSMEs and Family Farming participated, where business intentions were registered for a total value of Gs. 3.7 billion.

The edition held in the department of Boquerón brought together a total of 21 participants, and a total of Gs. 594 million in business intentions. Of these, 11 attendees were from the MSME sector, while 10 were producers of Family Agriculture.

Among the main categories presented were dairy products, fruit and vegetables, dessert making, honey, bakery/chiperia, among others.

In order to ensure compliance with the requirements established for food quality, as well as transparency in the supply and public procurement processes, the National Directorate of Public Procurement (DNCP) regulated and established the mechanisms that regulate said acquisitions, through resolution No. 2233/24, which establishes all the mechanisms to guarantee these provisions.

“Zero Hunger” establishes as a first measure the mandatory acquisition, with 10% of products coming from family farming and 5% from local MSMEs, so the awarded suppliers must acquire this percentage of products coming from family farms and MSMEs that supply inputs and food products.

The DNCP resolution also establishes that the indirect acquisition of agricultural products from family farming regulated in this resolution may only be carried out by producers of family farming, individual or organized, duly registered in the National Registry of Family Farming (RENAF) of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAG), as long as they comply with the minimum formalities established in this resolution, among other aspects.

Regarding SMEs, the program establishes the acquisition of 5% of the total value of the contract, which may be updated annually through a regulatory act of the National Council for School Feeding (CONAE), in coordination with the Ministry of Economy and Finance, as the governing body of the National Public Supply System and the convening entities, ensuring that this percentage is not less than 5%.

At the business meeting in Ñeembucú, the Vice Minister of Livestock, Marcelo González, highlighted that producers of Family Agriculture are motivated by the possibility that the fruits of their work form part of the school meals of children and young people in their respective localities.

He said that the “Zero Hunger” program marks a milestone as it generates a business opportunity, a market for the products of Family Farming that is undergoing a process of consolidation and growth. “We are committed to providing the necessary support and technical assistance in this process,” he stressed.

So far, business conferences have been held in the Central departments, including producers from Presidente Hayes, Paraguarí, Caazapá, Guairá, and Ñeembucú.