A pilot plan to promote tilapia farming was launched in the Guatemalan departments of Santa Rosa, Alta Verapaz, and Chiquimula. The initiative was inaugurated by Mario Gaitán, Vice Minister of Food and Nutritional Security. Its goal is to encourage the production and consumption of animal-based protein.
The project will benefit 60 family units organized through the Centers for Learning for Rural Development (CADER). Each unit is expected to achieve at least three tilapia harvests during the 21-month duration of the plan, which begins in November 2025.
This effort is part of broader actions led by the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food (MAGA), specifically through its Vice Ministry of Food and Nutritional Security (VISAN). The program receives technical and financial support from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
The plan aims to strengthen both productive and nutritional capacities among rural families by promoting self-consumption and income generation through fish farming. Tilapia is highlighted as an accessible source of high-quality protein that can improve family diets and diversify food production within communities.
During the launch event, Vice Minister Mario Gaitán said, “We must look for solutions to world hunger in water.” He emphasized that this project marks an important step toward that goal.
He added that behind each pond and training session is a family who will directly benefit from the work done by technicians. Tilapia will provide a constant source of high biological value protein, improving nutrition, incomes, and quality of life for participating communities.
Gaitán also noted that the project consolidates inter-institutional collaboration within MAGA by involving various departments such as the Directorate for Regional Coordination and Rural Extension (DICORER), the Vice Ministry for Rural Economic Development (VIDER), and the Vice Ministry for Agricultural Health and Regulations (VISAR). This coordination allows different areas to share knowledge and technical expertise to ensure comprehensive implementation.
After the official inauguration ceremony, training was provided to technicians, nutritionists involved in Nutrition-Sensitive Agriculture, and municipal agency staff from participating departments. The sessions covered pond management, fish feeding, and best practices in aquaculture production.
Through this initiative, MAGA reaffirms its commitment to food security for Guatemalan families by promoting sustainable production alternatives that improve nutrition, strengthen family economies, and contribute to rural development.
Alerts Sign-up