Over 40,000 Peruvian families that fell prey to narcoterrorism in the 1980s and 90s have developed their own businesses thanks to the Agriculture and Irrigation Ministry's Allies II program, the Rural-Agricultural Productive Development Program (Agro Rural) reported.
"The Agriculture Ministry —through
Agro Rural— changed our lives. We now produce our own resources, and we can send our children to school and university," said Elias Edmundo Sanchez, leader of an Ashaninka community at the Pichis-Palcazu Valley.
However, prosperity did not come overnight. The leader recalled how his terror-scarred community was forced to battle fire-armed terrorists with arrows during the dark 80s and 90s decades.
"Today, we are fighting —and defeating— poverty with those same arrows and with organic produce thanks to you, to your Allies Program," Sanchez told Agriculture Minister Jose Manuel Hernandez, who —days ago— visited a fair in Lima where Allies beneficiaries presented their products.
On the other hand, the Agriculture portfolio head reiterated President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski administration's efforts to reach out to Peru's "
poorest and forgotten" populations.
"We want youth to see the countryside as a business opportunity, and we will not rest until
poverty levels are cut —at least— by half in a very short term," Minister Hernandez said.
The program has also contributed to women empowerment. Ana Maria Ramirez, head of a Pichanaki female coffee producing association, expressed her team's readiness to expand their business.
Similarly, central Huancavelica region's avocado producer Victor Vera underlined their products have made their way to Spain, and shared plans to venture into the U.S. market.
(END) NDP/DHT/MVB