Joint support with Swisscontact for 41 trout breeding and export microenterprises in Puno, Peru

(Puno, September 1, 2010). A total of 41 microenterprises will benefit from the first phase of the project "Model for competitiveness of trout in the Puno region," initiative promoted jointly by CAF, Swisscontact and Piscifactoras Los Andes (Piscis) in Peru to provide technical support and build the capacities of small-scale breeders of the species in the localities of Pomata, Santa Lucia and Moho and Huancan on the shores of Titicaca and Lagunillas lakes.

CAF director representative in Peru Eleonora Silva Pardo said the project executed by the CAF Competitiveness Support Program (PAC), Swisscontact and Piscis has successfully coordinated and strengthened small-scale production using modern methods by providing technical support, accompaniment and training in good aquaculture practices aimed at building capacities in business management and commercial cooperation, and applying health and environmental standards.

Presenting the results of the project, Silva Pardo said 62 technical assistance actions were implemented through 851 visits to producers to improve their aquaculture skills. In addition, a credit for 25 producers was arranged with Agrobanco and for another 16 with Fondopez.

In addition, the project included a consulting process to identify demand from major buyers of trout and select consumption for the tourist area of Cuzco, Valle Sagrado and Machupicchu. Finally, aquaculture producers received training in accounting, tax and labor management for their businesses and specific recommendations for facilitating their process of formalization and business management.

These actions guarantee continuity of the learning process of producers and generate expectation among the institutions that work in the sector because they consider this contribution to be fundamental for following the guidelines and giving continuity to the ongoing work, the CAF director said.

"The project reinforces the training in relation to quality and linkage to the market of trout producers in the Puno region, in a scheme in which the entire chain gains competitiveness. In addition, the initiative is part of the priorities of the public sector, specifically Sierra Export Program and the Technical Standards Program for export of aquaculture species promoted by Promper," Silva Pardo added.

The project also strengthens the economic development activities promoted by CAF in the radius of influence of the Southern Interoceanic Highway (IIRSA South), particularly in the Puno region, the main trout producing area.

The representative of Swisscontact in Peru, Jon Bickel, said that although the project had a direct impact on only 41 small-scale trout breeders, there was potential for scaling up its impact to the target population of 400 companies operating in Puno.

"Achieving standardized production will give the fish farming chains access to developed markets, and raise competitiveness and profitability, which will eventually improve the socioeconomic situation of the population n the Puno districts of Pomata, Santa Lucia, Moho, and Huancan, " the representative said.

Mauricio Gonzalez, general manager of Piscis, the largest exporting company in the sector, said industrial trout cultivation had been growing by 25% a year in Peru with production reaching 5,800 tons, positioning the country as the worlds tenth largest producer.

"The main export markets for Peruvian trout are Europe, USA and Canada. However, the value of Peruvian trout exports is only US$4 million and represents less than 1% of international demand. The Puno region concentrates 42% of domestic production, but only 25% has quality standards for export. For this reason, we feel this project - promoted by CAF and Swisscontact is improving existing levels of profitability and competitiveness," the manager said.

Perus competitive advantages in trout production are its climatic conditions and water bodies which are optimal for achieving commercial size after 8 to 10 months, compared with the norm of 11 to 12 months. The Puno region, in particular, has considerable water resources (Lake Titicaca with 17,400 hectares) suitable for aquaculture which only uses 4.5%. These water resources in Puno are used by almost 400 companies involved in trout production.

Swisscontact (Swiss Foundation for Technical Cooperation) is an apolitical and non-denominational ONG founded in 1959 by personalities from the private and academic sectors of Switzerland. The objective of Swisscontact is to reduce poverty and improve the quality of life of the neediest sectors through projects in four key areas: economic development and SMEs, environment, financial services, and professional training. In all its activities, Swisscontact aims to achieve the greatest possible reach and sustainability of its projects, always involving communities and local institutions by applying the principle of helping others to help themselves.