The Industrial Plant Ixcapec, operated by the Federation of Cooperatives of the Verapaces (FEDECOVERA) in Cobán, Alta Verapaz, includes several specialized facilities such as the Microbiology Laboratory, Spice Industrial Plant, Vegetative Propagation Greenhouse, and Biofertilizer Factory. These areas play a significant role in supporting the quality and development of crops like coffee, cardamom, and cacao.
María Fernanda Rivera Dávila, Minister of Agriculture, Livestock and Food (MAGA), visited these facilities to supervise their operations. During her visit, members and specialists from FEDECOVERA explained how their actions and techniques help improve plantations, reproduction processes, and species optimization while also protecting the harvests of 42 cooperatives.
The use of organic materials like biofertilizers has enabled small producers to achieve better yields without increasing production costs. This approach has resulted in cost savings for local farmers.
Another site visited was the Agroforestry Nursery of Chicoj Cooperative. Here, projects such as forest plantations, community-based sustainable tourism known as Coffee Tour, and initiatives led by young people and women have had positive effects on cooperative families and surrounding communities.
"Thanks to the efforts that FEDECOVERA has made with MAGA, we have been able to access assistance services and channel projects that improve living conditions for family groups," said Edgar Caal, president of the Board of Directors of the Integral Agricultural Cooperative Chicoj.
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