Guatemala
Having emerged from decades of civil war, Guatemala is now in a better position to capitalize on its substantial natural resources and climatic advantages. The country is well-positioned for growth in the increasingly important and profitable biofuel industry. TechnoServe is exploring opportunities to develop a biofuel industry and is also helping several existing agricultural busi-
nesses, with a view to generating jobs and incomes for poor rural producers. More broadly, we are also running entrepreneurship programs that empower people to create thriving businesses in a variety of sectors.
More about TechnoServe's work in Guatemala »
TechnoServe/Guatemala
4 avendia 23-01, Zona 14
Guatemala City,
Guatemala
Tel: 502-2-368-3204
eruata@tns.org
Interim Country Representative: Eduardo Ruata
Established: 2005
Practices: Building Businesses and Industries ; Developing Entrepreneurs
Sectors:
Guatemala
Cultivating a Home-Grown Entrepreneur
Guatemala's business plan competition helps an entrepreneur expand a produce business that creates jobs and higher incomes in indigenous communities.
Developing Entrepreneurs
Business Plan Competitions
TechnoServe and its partners are running a periodic national business plan competition, Idea Tu Empresa, to help the country's nascent entrepreneurs turn good ideas into thriving, growth-oriented businesses that generate jobs and markets. Thus far, the competitions have focused on agribusiness, light manufacturing, tourism and technology. As a result, dozens of businesses have already been launched or expanded, with incremental revenues exceeding $1 million.
Key supporters: U.S. Agency for International Development, Cargill, PRONACOM and various private, academic and governmental organizations
Building Businesses and Industries
Agriculture & Agribusiness › Horticulture
TechnoServe is working with more than 1,000 small-scale farmers to help them produce profitable crops such as peas, French beans, baby corn and carrots. We are helping the farmers to improve the quality of their products and to secure financing needed to modernize and increase production. We are also helping them tap into lucrative export markets. A new packaging plant will create hundreds of new jobs and serve as a hub of economic activity.
Key supporters: Argidius Foundation, Cooperativa 4 Pinos
Agriculture & Agribusiness › Other
TechnoServe is helping a group of women mushroom producers to expand its production, providing an opportunity for more than 100 families to substantially increase their incomes by raising organic mushrooms. We are also helping a Maya nut business owned by more than 30 low-income women to increase their production and develop a marketing campaign. Business growth will enable it to take on board hundreds more low-income women and increase their families' income.
Key supporters: Argidius Foundation, Liz Claiborne Foundation, SG Foundation and BADER Foundation
Alternative Energy
TechnoServe is running a biodiesel pilot project to help farmers capitalize on a new, environmentally friendly business opportunity. TechnoServe is helping six communities of small-scale farmers to grow jatropha plants on cleared land that is unsuitable for food crops and to then process it in local facilities. TechnoServe is working on developing the entire supply chain. We are also developing business models and initiating pilot projects that use biodiesel to expand rural electrification and that combine biodiesel and fish production. (Learn more about our biodiesel work.)
Key supporters: U.S. Agency for International Development and the Burke Foundation
