Iván David Nemocón Espinosa, mayor of Tenjo, Cundinamarca, highlights the inauguration of PepsiCo's Agro Storage, a potato post-harvest and storage facility, as a development for the region. This center, the largest in Latin America, utilizes cold storage technology with continuous online monitoring to maintain product quality and streamline the production chain.
With an $80 billion investment, the facility can store 20,000 tons of potatoes for up to six months, aiding small and medium-sized farmers in the Cundiboyacense highlands by reducing logistics costs and enhancing unloading efficiency. This initiative supports the supply chain and mitigates climate-related harvest fluctuations.
PepsiCo, the largest industrial potato buyer in Colombia, procures approximately 90,000 tons annually. The Agro Storage Center is part of its efforts to strengthen ties with farmers. Pilar Rodríguez of Asoagrotoca states, "With these types of initiatives, we've realized that productivity in the fields is good, meaning they produce better results and better harvests. We've also realized that we've significantly lowered costs because we spray less."
Mayor Nemocón Espinosa remarks, "This investment is very important for the sector, for the region. It's not just infrastructure, but it will be a bridge of opportunities to generate employment and, above all, to help a sector that continues to pose a challenge for Sabana, for Sabana Centro and Sabana Occidente."
PepsiCo supports farmers throughout the process to ensure quality. Gabriel Pazos of Agronegocios de Colombia notes, "We have a team of agronomists in the field year-round, supporting farmers throughout the entire crop development process and providing technical recommendations that can help them obtain the best quality potatoes."
Begoña Aristy, VP of PepsiCo Foods for the Andean Region, explains the investment was necessary due to previous challenges: "Three years ago, we began making this quality investment, and our farmer partners' potatoes were spoiling in the fields." The center allows for better storage and logistical management.
María Paula Cano of PepsiCo highlights the center's role in building a sustainable and efficient business model, benefiting producers through supply chain optimization and increased storage capacity. She emphasizes collaboration among stakeholders to enhance Colombian agriculture.
PepsiCo's initiative aligns with its PepPositive strategy, which focuses on sustainability and innovation in operations. The center addresses logistical challenges and supports local development, potentially serving as a model for future agricultural initiatives.
Source: Argenpapa