Zero Hunger: MIC presented guidelines to companies awarded the School Feeding Program

Asuncion, IP Agency.- With the aim of presenting the strategy for linking Family Farming and local MSMEs to the companies awarded for the provision of the Zero Hunger Program, authorities from the Ministry of Industry and Commerce (MIC) held an informative meeting with the representatives of the companies this Friday.

It is worth remembering that the Zero Hunger in Schools program will begin in 90 districts of the country, which is expected to reach 2,627 educational institutions, between August 2024 and July 2027 with an investment of approximately USD 528 million.

10% of company purchases must be from family farming; while 5% of company purchases must be from MSMEs.

MIC head Javier Giménez stressed the importance of market access for national SMEs as one of the fundamental pillars of the portfolio under his charge.

He called for strengthening the capacities of local MSMEs and family farming, while ensuring the provision of inputs from these sectors and promoting economic inclusion and sustainable development.

In this context, he stressed the MIC’s obligation to ensure compliance with the Law in good terms, highlighting the integration of MSMEs and family farming in the value chain. “The Law establishes this, but the idea is that they become competitive and provide you with quality products at a low price and in a local way,” he said.

Giménez praised the support of the Ministry of Social Development (MDS) and the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAG), as well as all the institutions involved in the program. “This program will be very beneficial, not only for companies and MSMEs, but also for our children, who are the most precious asset we have,” he said.

Comprehensive Business Roundtable will be held on Tuesday, July 23

At the meeting, the Vice Minister of MSMEs, Gustavo Giménez, showed the business sector the methodology of the first Comprehensive Business Roundtable, which will be held on Tuesday, July 23, at the Agricultural Extension Directorate in the city of San Lorenzo.

He presented the sectors that represent a market for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, as well as the number of students from the priority districts, the number of MSMEs by department, the methodology of the business roundtable, to be held next week, the requirements for anchor companies, among other topics.