Interview: Carmen Sofía América Colio Montoya – Manager of Continuous improvement and food safety in Agrícola Del Campo.

Sofía Colío, originally from the city of Culiacán, Sinaloa and a graduate of Industrial and Systems Engineering at the Technological Institute of Monterrey, Campus Sinaloa, is now one of the pioneers in the implementation of quality management systems in the state’s agricultural sector.

  1. Could you tell us a little bit about your professional experience?

My first job was in ​​quality control and production in 2004 in Baja California. Later on I returned to Culiacan, where I had the opportunity to collaborate as an organizational development consultant in Adsum, a software development company.

It was in 2006 when I joined Agricola Del Campo y Asociados, firstly in the area of ​​Continuous Improvement, working on optimizing processes, analyzing the different areas of opportunity and establishing indicators. In 2009, I was also appointed head of the area of food ​​safety and since then I work with these two areas. Many people believe that quality and food safety are the same and they are very different, yet they somehow complement each other.

  1. What is the continuous improvement of companies?

In general, continuous improvement refers to the implementation of strategies that optimize processes and reduce costs in a company.

But it is not only a question of implementing, it is necessary to follow up and be able to instill this culture in each of the workers of the company, which is the most complicated of all.

  1. How does the training of company personnel affect the level of competitiveness of the company?

The most important capital in any company, rather than the economic one, is human capital. Therefore I consider it essential that the company provides the employees with the necessary tools to work, so these in turn will be able to perform their activities efficiently.

We know that the number of agricultural companies in Sinaloa is very large. With so much competition, what factors allow a company to stand out from the rest? Nowadays the market demands an endless number of requirements, however, companies besides complying with them must offer an added value that allows it to differentiate itself from the rest of the offer.

Nowadays not only must factors such as safety and good agricultural practices be met, little by little both social and environmental responsibility are being added to the list of requests by the market and we must be prepared to comply with these aspects even before If required.

“Nowadays the market demands an endless number of requirements, however, companies besides complying with them must offer an added value that allows it to differentiate itself from the rest of the offer.”

“Training is key to sensitizing staff and teaching them the benefits of carrying out processes properly. It’s not just about giving them instructions, it’s about explaining how, by doing things right, at the end of the day, you work less”.

  1. Could you mention some of the benefits of implementing a quality management system?

In Del Campo and Associates, with the experience we have gained in implementing a quality management system, we have been able to interrelate the different areas of the company towards the same goal.

In addition, it allows us to keep the company organized, carrying out processes efficiently and not only work for work, if not work what you must work.

In this way, you can offer your customers quality products, gaining their trust and generating an opportunity to expand the offer of products to different markets, both national and international, by increasing the level of competitiveness.

  1. How do you promote the culture of quality here in the company?

This point is very complicated but possible. This is the first step that must be taken to implement an efficient management system.

First, it is important that management maintains a commitment and supports the implementation of quality policies.

In addition, as mentioned above, training is key to sensitizing staff and teaching them the benefits of carrying out processes properly. It is not just about giving them instructions, but about explaining how, doing things right, at the end of the day, you work less.

  1. What do you enjoy most about your job?

I like everything about my job, every day I enjoy it from start to finish. I never thought I was going to work in a farm, but I love it.

I find it very interesting what can be done with Continuous Improvement and what is involved in the planning and implementation of food safety and quality management systems.

I enjoy, rather than pass the certifications, that the company is recognized for its processes and put the name of Del Campo high. Day by day they can come and visit us and everything is in order, not only the day of audits.

Finally, I find it very satisfying to see how the staff has put on the shirt and does their job properly and without any problem.

As the saying goes, we must sow to harvest. It is like the art that you are impregnating with love, passion, and dedication. It makes you feel accomplished accomplishing each of your goals.

  1. Anything else you want to add?

It is important to mention that to achieve all this it is fundamental to work as a team and fortunately I have a very prepared and efficient. Each of us are graduates of different careers, we have different skills and this has helped us a lot in the implementation of the different management systems.

Fortunately, Agricola Del Campo has given us the opportunity, not only in my area but in general, to be able to express our ideas and has provided us with the resources to be able to put into practice the different improvement processes.

On the other hand, I think there are very good schemes like Eleven Rivers, which has matured a lot, focusing not only on food safety, but also integrating quality and, above all, social responsibility, which is an aspect that many agricultural companies are beginning to implement, so I think it’s a very complete scheme.

As a result, meeting these requirements somehow helps you expand into other markets and put the name of Sinaloa up.

We must remember that when a Sinaloa growers is doing poorly, we all go wrong. This is the main difference perhaps between agriculture and other industrial sectors, but we are working to continue selling and satisfying the needs and requirements of customers.