The project is benefiting Honduran MSMEs.

Zamorano International University, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) have joined together to increase and improve the competitiveness of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Honduras by means of the program “Improving the Quality and Competitiveness of Agrifood Production in Honduras.”

Zamorano has been implementing the program since June 2010, with financial support from the IDB through the Multilateral Investment Fund (MIF). IICA’s role in the project is to provide technical cooperation in the area of agricultural health and food safety, specifically by supervising training in safety and quality. It will also assist in the preparation of the national safety strategy, working with the National Agricultural Health Service (SENASA).

Over the next three years, Zamorano will train 1194 people who form part of Honduran MSMEs.

“As well as enhancing the capabilities of MSMEs to enable them to comply with sanitary requirements and produce safe food, this project will strengthen the capabilities of SENASA and Ministry of Health inspectors. These efforts are bound to improve public health and help ensure that the country’s trading partners accept its exports of safe food,” said Alejandra Díaz, an IICA specialist in Agricultural Health and Food Safety, who recently visited the Zamorano campus.

Components of the project

IICA’s Representative recently visited the campus to learn about the university’s strengths and identify ways in which the training and technical assistance provided to MSMEs and officials of SENASA and public and private institutions could be improved.

Other components of this program include the creation of a Web page, entitled “Banco de Información,” that will help businesses comply with sanitary regulations and the standards of the Codex Alimentarius.

“As an institution of the Inter-American System that provides technical cooperation and specialized knowledge for the competitive and sustainable development of agriculture in the countries of the Americas, IICA believes it essential to forge and establish alliances with different agencies in order to complement each other’s work. In this regard, IICA recognizes Zamorano’s efforts to develop leaders and contribute to the region’s economic development,” said Byron Miranda, IICA Representative in Honduras.

For more information, visit
alejandra.diaz@iica.int