Interview: Guillermo Heras Montoya from SIPROIN
Guillermo Heras Montoya, a businessman native of Los Mochis Sinaloa, currently runs Agrícola Sistemas de Producción Intensiva Del Noroeste (SIPROIN), located in the same city.
Guillermo Heras, agronomist by profession, began in agriculture at the age of 23, he is now growing peppers and tomatoes, mostly in protected agriculture. He is a responsible grower, concerned to offer safe and quality products to his international market, but mostly, to provide a decent treatment to his employees, because as he says in this interview, growers rely 100% on them to achieve success.
- Can you tell us a little about your beginnings in agriculture?
I began in agriculture in 1993, in potato crops for fresh consumption, which we have been growing for 23 years to date without interruption. In 1994, we started planting saladette tomato for the domestic market; later (1997), we began with the cultivation of spicy chili, occasionally engaging in the export market.
In 2011, we started with the protected agriculture project, by growing mostly peppers and tomatoes.
- What are the features of agriculture in Northern Sinaloa?
Agriculture in the north of the state is characterized by being dynamic and also by crop diversity, its level of technology and productivity in grains, mangoes and produce.
Unlike Culiacan and La Cruz, in northern Sinaloa most of us produce growers do not have shelters for laborers. Even though we have migrating growers, these are integrated in certain communities, and in most cases they are recruited by intermediaries who provide the service.
- How has agriculture evolved in Northern Sinaloa?
I believe that the major developments in agriculture in northern Sinaloa have been the automation in irrigation and implementation of protected agriculture; on the other hand, important progresses have been made in terms of food safety and good agriculture practices (GAPs).
- Which factors are determining of a horticultural company’s success today, in your opinion?
Definitely, productivity. Growing with quality and quantity at the lowest possible cost. On the other hand, in order to be successful, I believe it is essential to specialize in certain crops, not only in production but also in marketing.
- What is the role certifications play in the preference of a market share?
Today, certifications play a very important role in production and marketing of food. In my opinion, these are actions we need to take in order to reduce risks and avoid problems. Clients want to be assured that products being marketed are meeting safety and food safety standards, as well as respect for the environment and workers.
In our case, distributors require the current certification to market our products; even domestic companies, such as Herdez and Del Fuerte give a special follow up on production processes, by carrying out the analysis of chemical residues before receiving the product.
- How has the implementation process of Eleven Rivers program been in your agriculture company?
Implementation has taken us a long time, since it is a very comprehensive program involving multiple axes, and unlike other organizations who have certified us, Eleven Rivers pays great attention in social responsibility, and is closely attached to the current legislation. I believe we have made significant progress in this and other program components that will allow us to obtain the certification in the short term.
- What are the main challenges your company is facing towards the future?
Other than climate and plant health problems that companies like us normally face, the issue of labor availability will be a major constraint that we are even now considering to develop the 2016-17 program. It has increased even more in the last three years.
On the other hand, legislation on food safety becomes stricter every year, so that forces us to keep updated in terms of good agriculture practices.
- Which would you consider are the results for horticulture in Sinaloa during the 2015-2016 season?
Without a doubt, this has been a very good year in terms of prices for most vegetables, a situation that will allow growers to meet their financial commitments. In terms of labor availability for the field, this has become extremely complicated; from 2014 to date, we have been experiencing troubles for doing field labor, especially harvest. So, I anticipate that in coming years the labor factor will become even more critical.
- Is there anything else you would like to add?
It is important to obtain the document stating that we approved the certification audit; but it is even more important to raise awareness in all personnel involved in production and packaging chains, of the importance of carrying out the preventive measures in order to substantially reduce any pollution problems; also, explaining the consequences in terms of health, environment and legal that food producing companies may face, if a problem of this nature should arise.
On the other hand, I believe companies should work more on the issue of social responsibility; we depend 100% on field workers and we are obliged to provide safe and decent conditions to perform their work. In this area, the government has much work to do, since a lot of infrastructure is needed in terms of health and especially in childcare facilities, and thereby help improving the quality of workers, especially migrants.