Asociación de Productores Agropecuarios Independientes de Palma Africana de Guaymas (PAIGUAY)

Paiguay stands as the smallholder group in Honduras, boasting a workforce of over 600 dedicated men and women who have been committed to palm cultivation for nearly 30 years. Situated in the province of Yoro, in the central-northern region of the country, this formidable collective of palm oil producers is reshaping the narrative of oil palm cultivation in their region.

In 1998, Hurricane Mitch struck, devastating the central zone of Honduras. As a result of this natural disaster, the lands were flooded, rendering it impossible to continue cultivating the traditional crops of the area, such as plantains, bananas, and beans. Thus, this group of smallholders had to perceive the crisis as an opportunity and reinvent themselves in the aftermath of the natural catastrophe. This led to the emergence of the “Regional Association of African Palm Producers of Guaymas,” abbreviated as “PARGUAY.” In 1999, it commenced operations with 30 independent producers. Since then, Hondupalma, an agro-industrial cooperative company in Honduras, has been providing guidance and collaboration to PAIGUAY. In its early stages, Hondupalma financed the initial plantations with seeds, nurseries, and supplies, marking the beginning of a story of cooperation and work that continues to this day. “Paiguay was born out of a crisis, from which we had to reinvent ourselves,” remarks Santos Cabrera, one of the association’s pioneering palm oil producers.

The significant leap for the association occurred in 2016 when they obtained their legal designation, aiming to expand membership. Thus, the Independent Agricultural Producers Association of African Palm from Guaymas (PAIGUAY) emerged, operating since then and bringing together over 32 producer communities across three departments in Honduras: Atlántida, Yoro, and Cortés. Juan Sanchez, the association’s general manager, highlights that the chain of work impacts approximately between 20,000 to 60,000 people. Rosalina Rodriguez, a smallhoder since the association’s inception, shares her experience witnessing the group’s growth and the transformation it brought to her life: “I am a small entrepreneur; I started with livestock and my life has been a struggle. And at my age now, I continue to fight but with better expectations. It was tough at the beginning, and we took a chance, and now we are happy, grateful to God when the first palm plant bore fruit. I am happy because I have a lot of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and we all benefit from palm cultivation.”

In recent years, Paiguay has shifted its business vision towards a sustainable model, aiming to increase productivity while caring for the land. Since then, many traditional cultivation practices and collaboration among producers have changed. On this matter, Isaúl Quiroz, president of PAIGUAY,  summarizes the impact of this new approach: “The changes are significant and impactful because previously, resources were scarce, farm productivity has improved, there’s a better sense of community in producer relations, and the quality of life in the community regarding health and education has improved. There is better infrastructure overall.”

Santos Cabrera, another member of the group,  highlights that as a result of the palm oil’s productive development, their families have encountered greater opportunities: “Education has enhanced professional development; we have several professionals among the children of smallholders, as most of us only completed primary education. We’ve made a shift to ensure that our children can pursue higher education, although we still need more support. Let this serve for the development of the community.”

Total area covered by the project
609 Ha

Number of smallholders benefitting from this project
32 Smallholders

Number/percentage of women supported by this project
25.00% women in this project

To continue expanding this project, external support is needed in the following areas:

• Training sessions.

• Field technologies.

• Scholarships for diploma courses in palm cultivation.

• Programs for field improvement visits to other countries.

• Didactic materials for technicians.

•  A comprehensive AVA study (African oil palm).

•  Additional funds or donation of certified seeds resistant to PC disease (Red Ring).

Representative Contact
Milton Alexis Hernandez | Group Manager | [email protected] |

Representative Contact

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