Strengthening agriculture with a million jobs

By Mayora IP

The Guatemalan Association of Exporters proposed six actions to boost agriculture in the country and generate almost one million formal jobs in the sector. With the name "Resuming the course to create formal employment", the proposal was addressed in a statement to all the candidates that will participate on the June 6, 2019, general elections to govern Guatemala in the period 2020-2024.

The actions are related to pro-innovation legislation, the opening of new markets, the creation of insurance and subsidies for small producers, the development of new varieties of products, the strengthening of safety and the improvement of productive infrastructure (irrigation, collection centers, maritime lines, ports, among others), which would enhance agriculture competitiveness and lead to the creation of approximately 981,000 formal jobs.

The proposal, as reported by El Economista, is reflected in the results that the export of mango has showed in Chile, and was developed with the analytical crossing of public economic indicators with those of the main sectors that make up the Association of Exporters.

According to the United States Agency for International Developmen (USAID), Guatemala has tremendous potential for expanding its agricultural production which would lead to rural economic growth, job creation, and poverty alleviation. “Guatemala is recognized as a leader in non-traditional agriculture exports in Central America, such as snow peas, green beans, mini-vegetables, and fruits, which have grown exponentially over the past ten years benefitting smallholder farmers”, a March 2019 USAID report states.