The PRA Project, financed by USAID, has become an important ally to agro-industrial export companies like Agromantaro SAC, Procesadora SAC, TALSA, and Nutreina SA. Once a considerable demand for artichokes was identified, the PRA Project helped to locate suitable cultivation areas and provided technical assistance on watering, cultivation management, and harvesting and post-harvesting processes to producers in several districts of Huancayo, Huancavelica, and Ayacucho. In the case of ESC Huancayo, the local supply contributed to creating the confidence needed for TALSA and Agromantaro to build plants for the production of preserved artichokes in the Mantaro Valley. In particular, Agromantaro invested more than US$1 million in a processing plant in Concepción. Such experiences are a clear example of the high impact of demand on farmers’ welfare, and of the role private investors can play in developing the Sierra’s business environment.

Interview with Mr. Manuel Orellana (Vice President of Asociación de Productores de Alcachofa del Valle del Mantaro)

How did the relationship between local producers and the PRA Project take off?

The PRA Project invited us to a series of workshops on the costs of artichoke production. In those workshops we compared the profitability of artichoke production against other crops. Especially, buyer companies guarantee a fixed price per dozen and take us to the market. At that point we decided to start working with the PRA.

How have you benefited from this business?

The main advantages are that the crop has adapted 100% to the area, we have a secure market, and we have adequate technical assistance on production and harvesting. We need to expand cultivation areas because only 10% of identified demand is being covered. That’s why the group has decided to cultivate 200 more hectares.