Agriculture at a Crossroads: Challenges in Northern Paraguay

Agriculture in northern Paraguay is currently facing significant challenges. The recent drop in soybean and corn prices, combined with extreme weather conditions, has put local producers under immense pressure. These circumstances have led to a search for new solutions to sustain the agricultural sector in the region.

GPSA’s Innovative Solution: A Modern Sesame and Chia Processing Plant

In response to these challenges, GPSA is introducing a transformative solution with the establishment of a modern sesame and chia processing plant in Cruce Liberación. Set to open in the coming weeks, this plant aims to provide a new opportunity for producers, particularly in the department of San Pedro.

Capacity and Expansion Plans

Fabián Pereira, GPSA’s commercial director, explained that the plant will have an initial processing capacity of 3,000 tons, with the potential to expand to handle between 6,000 and 7,000 tons of sesame and chia. This development offers a valuable alternative for local producers, allowing them to diversify their crops and find new markets.

Support for Local Producers: Inputs, Assistance, and Transparency

GPSA is not only offering technical assistance and inputs but also providing producers with a transparent marketing tool for their products. "We have decided to invest in a model plant that will allow us to collect sesame and chia from producers across the north," Pereira said.

Adding Value to Local Production through Export Opportunities

One of the plant's primary goals is to add value to local production through industrialization and export. Thanks to strategic partnerships with export companies, the plant will facilitate joint exports, opening access to international markets. Pereira emphasized the importance of international certification to meet market demands and ensure competitiveness.

Flexibility for the Future

Pereira also pointed out that the shift from sesame back to soybean cultivation would be easy when market conditions improve, as the required investment would be minimal. With an initial capacity of 3,000 tons, the plant is expected to support the cultivation of approximately 6,000 hectares of sesame or chia, based on an average yield of 500 to 800 kilograms per hectare.