Through information solutions based on the use of satellite photos, the application of classification models and the implementation of machine learning algorithms, it is possible to optimize the management of large plantations and minimize the risks faced by crops that affect profitability per hectare planted.
The growing availability of data that exists today is leading companies to seek new ways and tools to take advantage of this huge wave of information that is being generated in different business sectors.
In Guatemala, approximately 75% of agricultural enterprises have reported liquidity problems in the context of the crisis generated by covid-19.
A study conducted by the Chamber of Agriculture (Camagro) states that during May, agricultural companies recorded income losses, a situation that can be explained by the quarantine decreed and the social isolation measures.
Companies in the region can submit their applications for new labels according to the new Central American Regulation on Pesticide Labeling until December 20, 2020.
The regulation amendment came into force at the end of 2018, and stipulates that after the authorities approve the changes to product labeling, companies will have one more year to exhaust the existence of previous labels in the market.
A food processing plant will start operating in Rivas, which will focus on attending to producers and traders, and on university studies.
The new plant, which has the capacity to process meat products, dairy products, cereals, mushrooms, fruit and vegetables, was built on the grounds of the Antonio de Valdivieso International University (Uniav).
Producers in El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala, will have a processing plant, technical assistance and a global distribution network.
The funds from the Italian-Latin American International Organization (IILA) and the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) are part of the project entitled "Revitalization of the quality cocoa chain in Central America and the Caribbean."
In the context of the difficult situation that Nicaragua is facing, the Ortega administration has announced its projections for agroindustrial production, consumption and trade for the period 2018 -2019.
From a statement issued by the Central Bank of Nicaragua:
August 15, 2018.Authorities at the National System of Production, Consumption and Trade (SNPCC) of the Government of Nicaragua presented to the Central Bank of Nicaragua (BCN), the Production, Consumption and Trade Plan corresponding to the 2018-2019 cycle.
Explained by sales to the Netherlands, last year Central America exported $1.344 billion worth of palm oil and its fractions, 74% more than in 2016.
Figures from the information system on the Palm Oil Market and its Fractions in Central America, compiled by the Business Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption = "Click to interact with graph"]
Lack of irrigation on most of the country's arable land is preventing farmers from accessing bank financing to increase the productivity of their crops.
Regarding the financing that is currently granted, Luis Rivas Anduray, CEO and director of Banpro Grupo Promerica, explained to Elnuevodiario.com.ni that "...Banks finance only 10% of the country's arable areas. This 10% are the products that generate the most foreign currency for Nicaragua, such as coffee, sugarcane, etc., but there is another 90% of the area that can be financed, in which banks do not get involved, due to the credit risk that this constitutes. Therefore, when you have irrigation, the risk is substantially reduced."
In the first four months of the year, agroindustrial exports totaled $993 million, 32% more than in the same period in 2016.
From a report by the Central Bank:
Exports of goods classified as agroindustrial totaled US $992.7 million (59.7% of the total) in April 2017, 31.7% more than in the same period in 2016; an increase which is mainly due to an improvement in the volume and price of coffee.
The first stage of the project includes infrastructure for the industrial production of strawberries in greenhouses, and a second stage will involve establishing a free zone for logistics services and distribution.
The project, which according to its representatives requires an investment of $35 million, is being developed in Volcán, Chiriqui province.The owner of Agroparque Volcán, Giuseppe Cicatelli, explained to Prensa.com that"... in addition to the industrial production of strawberries, a free zone will be established in an area which will house logistics services, collection centers, offices and a cold chain, among other things."
In Honduras projections are that 2017 will close with $350 million in exported value and a volume equivalent to 400 thousand metric tons.
Exporters are projected to compensate for the drop in international prices with a higher volume, as a result ofhigher productivity due to climate effects.Hector Castro, manager in the sector, told Laprensa.hn that"...This year there will be more palm oil. Last year volume was affected by lingering drought, caused by the El Niño phenomenon, and this year the effect is different."
From 23 to 24 March in Antigua, Guatemala, more than 60 international buyers will be taking part in business roundtables with agricultural producers in the region.
From a statement issued by Agexport:
In AGRITRADE Expo & Conference 2017 will have 3 business roundtables, one of them will involve the participation of 200 farmers who will showcase their supply of raw materials, in order to foster business with exporting companies seeking to transform agricultural products into manufactured consumer articles such as food and beverages, said the President of the AGRITRADE Platform, Estuardo Castro.
On December 2 a conference will be held in Liberia, Costa Rica, on trends and characteristics of the wholesale marketing of agricultural products.
The Integral (PIMA) Agricultural Marketing Program of Costa Rica convened the event to be held on December 2 at the University of Costa Rica in Liberia, Guanacaste.
The main objective of this Congress is to analyze the system of wholesale marketing of food products in Costa Rica, to establish the implications for the national economy.
28% of the 78,408 farms in agricultural production in the country designate at least one of their crops to agro-industry.
The study "Characterization of agricultural production destined for the agroindustrial sector", prepared by the State of the Nation Program with figures for the 2014Agricultural Censusstates that"...
From 2008 to 2015 an increase of 23% was recorded in the number of hundredweight of pineapples harvested in the country.
The Guild of pineapple producers attributes the growth in production to the implementation of better agricultural practices and better use of greenhouses.
Rudy Santos, from the Pineapple Cooperative located in Villa Canales, told Prensalibre.com that "...