Agrooferta Aims to Bring Market Inclusion for Mexican Farmers

Mexico is recognized as an essential agricultural producer in Latin America; nevertheless, boosting direct trade between producers and buyers to support the country's development has been an ongoing concern. This is why the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (SADER) has launched AgroOferta, an interactive mobile application that provides first-hand information on agricultural and fishery products in the country.

The app has been developed by the Agri-Food and Fisheries Information Service (SIAP) to register the producer and the commercial agent's information using a datasheet for the sale and purchase of products. Víctor Villalobos Arámbula, Minister of SADER, said that the digital initiative emerged from the need to have a more balanced trade and provide national and international food supply options.

Patricia Ornelas Ruiz, chief director of SIAP, stressed that AgroOferta is considered a public good to help and benefit all farmers in the country. The app will begin its operation with an initial offer of 49 thousand producers, who are part of the SADER's priority programs. Ornelas has indicated that the app shows in an agile way detailed information of the product, description, photos and location of the producer and the contact details of registered users interested in buying the products directly. 

SADER reports that the initiative is based on data from the National Agricultural Survey, which showed that more than 50 percent of producers sell their products to intermediaries. At least 40 percent of production units have access to digital equipment, such as cell phones or computers, making the project feasible. AgroOferta responds to the need of producers to offer their products with a virtual market with simple and accessible management. Villalobos explains that this way, a direct and fair market is developing.

The National Agricultural Council (CNA) president, Juan Cortina Gallardo, said that the application allows buyers and producers in the country to have better communication to enhance streamlines supply chains. These measures will make direct trade more efficient, allowing Mexico to remain an essential player in producing and exporting food, generating jobs, foreign exchange, and welfare in the country's rural sector. 

As previously reported by MBN, private initiatives have started to boost the agribusiness technology sector. ProducePay, an agribusiness startup, aims to provide growers and distributors with financing through a platform with transparent information that will also serve as a marketplace. The company reports they offer access to market pricing data and analytics with more than 10,000 growers and distributors supplying real-time information that is challenging to obtain. Besides, the network provided by the company allows more straightforward and secure transactions for participants in the fresh produce supply chain and establishes network opportunities. 

For the matter, SADER reports that Mexico is the eighth largest agribusiness exporter in the world.