The Guatemalan region of Quetzaltenango annually produces 6,000 tons of potatoes as raw material for Lay´s.
Marco Antonio Dominguez, a farmer from Quetzaltenango, has been growing potatoes for the well-known snack brand since 2006 in one of the four departments where this product is grown. Marco Antonio has been devoted to agriculture since he was a kid. Like his brothers, Marco Antonio emigrated to the United States and looked for a way to live from agriculture when he returned to Guatemala but it was hard to do. He then learned about the possibility of selling his potatoes to the PepsiCo company and worked hard to achieve it.
“It was hard for me to become one of their suppliers, but I did it. The price of agriculture in the fresh market is not stable, and you just can't plant a large area if you have no one to sell your product to because you might not sell it. But now, things are different. We are financially established in our country and have work 365 days a year,” he said. One of the benefits of producing Lay´s potatoes for Dominguez and other farmers is that the company maintains prices stable.
Paulino de la Cruz, PepsiCo's agricultural manager in Guatemala, is in charge of guiding and supporting farmers to improve their products and face climate change.
The agricultural potato program began in the Quetzaltenango region because the company installed a production line in Guatemala, which needed raw material for the Lay´s brand, de la Cruz said. “We gave them a job opportunity and they took advantage of it. They have developed in the business of producing excellent quality potatoes because they are excellent farmers. The country's high plateau has the right climate to grow potatoes and vegetables,” he added.
Lay´s has been working with Quetzalteco farmers since 2012. They work with producers from the departmental capital, San Mateo, San Juan Ostuncalco, Concepcion Chiquirichapa, La Esperanza, Cantel, and Salcaja.
"PepsiCo has the agricultural responsibility of transfering technology and good agricultural practices. The people are the most important thing, so it's very important to develop their capacity and have them acquire new knowledge so that the product or the crop is profitable," de la Cruz stated.
Approximately 200 potato-producing families in the country have a business relationships with PepsiCo, a company that also conducts programs to empower women and youth.
In addition to Quetzaltenango, the departments of Huehuetenango, Alta Verapaz and Peten also produce Lay´s potatoes' raw material.
Source: prensalibre.com
