Five organizations of plantain producing families presented their offerings in this commercial activity
This Wednesday, February 17, a business roundtable was held at the headquarters of the Association for the Integral Development of the Indigenous Territory Talamanca Cabécar (ADITICA), with suppliers of the Institutional Supply Program (PAI) of the National Production Council (CNP), thanks to the promotion and negotiation of ADITICA, in collaboration with the Indigenous Virtual Produce Exchange of the Kábata Könana Women’s Association and other organizations of indigenous producers; to provide new business opportunities for agricultural products from indigenous families in Talamanca, Costa Rica.
This business roundtable was created as an alternative market search in the indigenous territories, within the framework of the plan for attention and recovery after the impact of COVID-19, with the support of the Costa Rican government, through the Institutional Supply Program (PAI).
According to Rogis Bermúdez, president of the CNP, the PAI is a platform that facilitates the commercialization and placement of products of national origin in 37 institutions, including hospitals, school canteens, public forces, municipalities, among others, for a total of about 4,300 delivery points among all institutions.
On this occasion, five organizations of plantain-producing families exhibited their offer in this business roundtable, where they had the opportunity to show the packed and unpacked plantains they produce so that the supplier could visualize the product.
“For us, it was an excellent meeting, where we were able to be with different organizations and entrepreneurs who buy plantain, since this product is lost a lot here, we have always suffered for that and also because the intermediary pays very badly,” said Maricela Fernandez, president of Kábata Könana.
“Today, as a result of the negotiation, it was agreed with the 14 organizations of suppliers, a volume of production that can be from 3,000 to 40,000 fingers of bananas per week to deliver to the various institutions,” said Bermudez.
On the other hand, Fernandez expressed that this type of negotiation would improve the economic level of the families and thus be able to face the aftermath of the crisis caused by the pandemic, and also, it would help not to lose the product. “Now with what we are doing we are going to open a door so that our producers can breathe again and reactivate their economy with the products we have, both Bribri and Cabécar,” said the leader.
Also, Bermúdez said that, as part of the actions of the PAI, producers will be provided with follow-up and support on issues related to pre-harvest and post-harvest handling, quality, treatment, transportation, and appearance of the product.
Participating indigenous producer organizations
- Kábata Könana Women’s Association (“Defenders of the Mountain”)
- KATSATKÖ Indigenous Women’s Association (“In Defense of the Land”)
- Cooperative of Multiple Services Cabécar de Talamanca, R.L.
- Sekma Agricultural Association, (ASA)
- YE YAMIPA Association (My Family)
