The Salvadoran government has unveiled a groundbreaking initiative aimed at doubling the production of white corn. Specialized machinery and trained personnel from the SMAR program are being made available to national farmers to kickstart a new model and methodology of production.
The government of El Salvador aims to elevate national agriculture to new heights with the launch of the High Yield Corn Planting Program (SMAR), through which producers can double their grain production.
According to authorities, a pilot test conducted on approximately 700 acres of crops during the last harvest season demonstrated that farmers increased their yield from 60 to 140 quintals per acre.
This initiative, facilitated through the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAG) in collaboration with the High Performance in Agriculture (Atider) company, immediately offers agricultural mechanization services to producers, enabling them to adopt a new model and production methodology.
More than 120 pieces of machinery will be made accessible to farmers, including tractors, harrows, silage machines, cultivators/fertilizers, four and six-row planters, wagons, and drones.
The MAG reports that the program also boasts over 200 trained technicians who will provide guidance to Salvadoran producers, allowing them to double their profits with the same investment as in the traditional model.
Óscar Domínguez, the Deputy Minister of Agriculture, asserted that with the program, available to all basic grain producers, El Salvador is moving towards achieving self-sufficiency in white corn and setting an example of efficiency on a global scale.
“What began as an idea to bring real changes to agriculture has now become a reality. The perfect formula is to think, plan, and act,” stated the official, who also called on producers nationwide to join the initiative.
The program benefits from the expertise of one of the world’s most influential agricultural specialists, Mexican Ernesto Cruz González, who has imparted his knowledge to SMAR technicians in integrated crop management, encompassing plant nutrition, soil fertility, technology utilization, and profitability management.
The expert detailed that it is possible to triple production yields and demonstrate through example that the collaboration between the government and private allies can generate wealth for producers and provide quality food to Salvadorans.
“In El Salvador, the challenge is immense; we must produce high-quality food for the population and ensure that agriculture forms the basis of economic development. This program was initiated by President Bukele to produce quality, profitable food at fair prices,” he added.
This program is envisaged comprehensively, hence the Agricultural Development Bank (BFA) has established a special financing line for SMAR. For any inquiries or acquisition of SMAR services, the MAG has provided farmers with a direct number: +503 22103392 and WhatsApp: +503 60730239.