Ministry begins staff training for new digital farmer registry

The Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food (MAGA) has started training technical and professional staff for the national implementation of the Unique Register of Farmers (RUA). The training began on November 10 and is aimed at department heads, rural extension coordinators, rural home educators, planning coordinators, school feeding liaisons, and training managers. These participants will be responsible for collecting information in the field.

The first group is being trained from November 10 to 13. Sessions are scheduled as follows: November 10 for Santa Rosa, Sacatepéquez, and Suchitepéquez; November 11 for Totonicapán, Sololá, and Alta Verapaz; November 12 for Baja Verapaz, Izabal, and Zacapa; and November 13 for Jalapa, El Progreso, and Petén.

The RUA is a digital tool developed by MAGA to identify, quantify, and geolocate farmers across the country. It aims to include those with plots of land as well as backyard producers. The register will provide information about what is produced, how much is produced, where it is produced, and which marketing channels are used.

“The data collection will be done through an application that works without an internet connection. It is available on mobile devices with Android systems as well as in a web version,” said Eduardo Flores, head of Planning at the Directorate of Regional Coordination and Rural Extension (DICORER).

Flores also stated that registration is expected to start in January 2026 after completing the training phase. “Staff are being trained on territorial approach strategies, coordination with local and community authorities, and methods for conducting field interviews. The goal is to make farmers feel comfortable and confident sharing their information,” he said.

According to MAGA officials, establishing the RUA marks a milestone because it will provide a comprehensive national register of farmers for the first time. This initiative will support planning efforts as well as technical assistance programs tailored to producers' needs. It seeks to strengthen production systems and contribute to sustainable rural development. Registration in RUA will be free of charge.