Background on Víctor Gabriel Chedraui and His Role
Víctor Gabriel Chedraui serves as the Secretary of Economic Development and Labor (Sedetra) in Puebla, Mexico. His department focuses on enhancing the state’s economic growth and labor conditions. Chedraui has emphasized the importance of integrating more cooperatives to bolster rural commercialization and protect farmers from intermediaries.
Current Status and Future Plans
Currently, there are 43 established cooperatives in Puebla, with an additional 130 in the process of formation. This initiative aims to safeguard and organize the rural sector against intermediaries, ensuring better monetary returns for farmers who previously sold their produce to exploitative middlemen.
Chedraui explained that these cooperatives were formed by identifying groups of producers who were receiving low monetary returns when selling to acaparadores (monopolists). The cooperatives aim to sell products of quality and at fair prices, preventing abuses by intermediaries.
With the expansion from 7 to 27 productive regions, more farmer participation and identification of lucrative areas have been achieved.
Reconversión Productiva and Access to Financing
Chedraui highlighted that reconversión productiva can lead to the creation of cooperatives, enabling producers to overcome backwardness and prevent further poverty growth. In the last five years, Puebla’s poverty rate has risen to 60%.
Cooperatives can access loans with lower interest rates compared to commercial banks, thanks to financing programs from the Puebla state government and Fideicomisos Instituidos en Relación con la Agricultura (FIRA). These programs offer loans ranging from 80,000 to 1,000,000 pesos to boost productive activities.
Some cooperatives focus on the “Hecho en México” (Made in Mexico) strategy and the “Puebla 5 de Mayo” brand, which support citizens by providing jobs and fostering a sense of identity.
The Formemos Cooperativas program aims to support the development of entrepreneurial ventures that wish to formalize their businesses or operate under legal economy frameworks.
By participating in this project, families relying on their own businesses can mitigate economic crisis risks. Participants enhance product quality, strengthen their structures, and access new markets.
Growth of Cooperativism in Puebla
Chedraui reported a consistent growth in cooperativism throughout the year, with numerous individuals supporting the program. This initiative fosters social and solidarity economy, contributing to Puebla’s overall economic development.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the role of Víctor Gabriel Chedraui? Víctor Gabriel Chedraui is the Secretary of Economic Development and Labor (Sedetra) in Puebla, Mexico. His department focuses on enhancing the state’s economic growth and labor conditions.
- How many cooperatives are currently established or in formation in Puebla? There are 43 established cooperatives and 130 in the process of formation.
- What are the benefits of cooperatives for farmers? Cooperatives help farmers achieve better monetary returns, sell products of quality and at fair prices, and avoid abuses by intermediaries.
- How do cooperatives access financing? Cooperatives can access loans with lower interest rates through financing programs from the Puebla state government and Fideicomisos Instituidos en Relación con la Agricultura (FIRA).
- What is the goal of the Formemos Cooperativas program? The Formemos Cooperativas program aims to support the development of entrepreneurial ventures that wish to formalize their businesses or operate under legal economy frameworks.
- How has cooperativism contributed to Puebla’s economy? Cooperativism has fostered social and solidarity economy in Puebla, contributing to the state’s overall economic development.
