As the Covid-19 coronavirus has arrived in Costa Rica, the State has had to rush several processes and carry out changes to cushion the impact of the country’s economy. In the case of farmers, they reinvent themselves to keep their productions afloat.
According to Agricultural Economist and Nativu Fincas Advisor, Alfonso Sanchothere are several ways to become a great producer in the field. He offers three key recommendations that future farmers must take into account:
1. Get informed.
Every person who tries to get into the world of agriculture the first thing they should do is look for all the possible information. That is, acquire knowledge either through the different media, advice from people already in the guild, ask advisers, among others. Thus, an analysis of the pros and cons of financing is recommended to make correct decisions.
2. Before making decisions you have to think twice.
It is not advisable to make investments which are not sure of giving optimal results. It is very likely that you already have the land, permits, a specific market to invest in, but if the buyer cannot continue distributing the products tomorrow, there can be large losses.
3. Enforce a strict control of expenses and cash flow.
It’s important to get to control the income and expenses that are acquired, whether they are salaries and thus rotate the staff. In the event that they are inputs, know which ones are of better quality and are purchased at better credit conditions, regardless of whether if they are second or third level.
Importance of helping the national producer
“It’s important that Costa Ricans become more conscious about consuming national products because that guarantees the work of farmers and new jobs in the agricultural sector”
Minister of Agriculture and Livestock, Renato Alvarado.
The above words are indispensable to try to cushion more damage to the future. As several world borders are closed, exports have not been able to run as before. The consumption of the national agricultural product has also been reduced due to the impact suffered by tourism. By being closed or with very little public influence, restaurants and hotels have caused purchases of these utilities to have been significantly reduced.
An option is to look for new distribution alternatives. Even if they are more expensive so as not to lose the product. As for example, pineapples that cannot be exported may reach the hands of the local juice market. However, some segments do not have the capacity to absorb all production.
In times of crisis, not everything is negative and some producers have looked for ways to reinvent themselves. And the results have been more efficient, as is the example of #CompreLocal.
