Helping Small Businesses in Peru and Colombia
After obtaining technical assistance from a CGSGI sponsored ESC, Román Basilio’s organic avocado business is now thriving.
The Clinton Giustra Sustainable Growth Initiative (CGSGI) has been working with the private sector, governments, local communities, and other NGOs to increase the scope, scale, impact, and sustainability of social and economic development effors in areas where poverty is widespread.
In Colombia, we are helping spice farmers develop their organic spice business and find new markets for their products, thereby achieving market driven development and encouraging economic entrepreneurship. In Peru, we are helping deliver 50,000 cataract surgeries to the most underserved populations of the country over the next four years, which will restore eyesight and economic productivity. These are just a couple of examples of our work.
In both countries, the objective is to promote market-driven development and strengthen factors that enable economic growth, such as health and education. To get a better understanding of what we do, take a minute to read about Román Basilio.
Success Story: Román Basilio
Román Basilio began cultivating avocados nearly 10 years ago in the province of Ancash, Peru. He soon realized that as an individual producer, he was quite vulnerable to fluctuations in demand and was not always able to negotiate the best prices for his product. As a result, he decided to partner with other avocado producers in the area to create the Asociación de Cultivadores De Santa Rosalía (Growers Association of Santa Rosalia). As a group, the producers were better able to negotiate higher, more stable prices for their product and explore new market opportunities.
Soon after its formation, the Association became aware of the growing market for organic products. Since they knew very little about the process of cultivating and managing organic avocados, they approached an Economic Service Centre (ESC) in the city of Huaraz to gain expertise and obtain technical assistance. The ESC consultants helped them understand the requirements of organic production, such as which fertilizers to use and how to deal with pests without the use of conventional pesticides. They were also educated on the health and environmental benefits of growing organic produce and were introduced to the notion of sustainable farming.
In November 2008, CGSGI opened one of two satellite ESC offices in the nearby city of Casma. This new office was much closer in proximity to the Association, and as a result, the ESC consultants were able to intensify and improve the technical assistance they provided to the Association. Since approaching the ESC and switching to organic production, the producers have experienced remarkable improvements to their business. "We are now better able to negotiate with the buyers as a group and obtain fair prices for our product," Mr. Basilio said, "but our ultimate goal is to be able to export directly, without any intermediaries."
Since approaching the ESC, Román Basilio’s avocado business has significantly improved
