The Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food (MAGA) has distributed maize and squash seeds to 771 farmers in the Petén region. The initiative aims to support family farming, encourage self-consumption, and improve nutrition among rural families.
In Melchor de Mencos, 290 beneficiaries received two bags of ICTA B-7 maize seed weighing 10 pounds each and one bag of squash seed per family. This effort is intended to increase the availability of staple grains and diversify local diets through the cultivation of maize and squash.
A similar distribution took place in San Luis, where 481 families from Sehamay, Sutija, Chimal, Tzuncal, and Joven Tzuncal communities benefited from the program. The activity was carried out in coordination with technicians from VIPETEN.
Support was also provided by a nutritionist from the Nutrition-Sensitive Agriculture component within the Directorate for Community Food Production Support (DAPCA), part of the Vice Ministry for Food Security and Nutrition (VISAN).
According to MAGA, "The distributed seeds are of high quality. The ICTA B-7 variety of maize is recognized for its good yield and adaptation to the country's climatic conditions, while squash is a crop that provides vitamins, minerals and fiber essential for a healthy diet."
MAGA stated that these actions "strengthen food security and nutrition, promote family agriculture and encourage more varied and nutritious diets in rural communities in Petén."
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