Grass-fed Beef Certification in Chaco Province
The Government of Chaco Province, Argentina, benefits their producers through the access to this quality certification. Over 3,100 heads are already under certification.

Organización Internacional Agropecuaria (OIA) has started the process of Certification of the Grass-fed Beef Protocol in Chaco Province, Argentina. This initiative leaded by the Government of Chaco is the result of intensive work including two years of meetings with cattle growers in the region to set the Protocol requirements. The main purpose of this project is that Chaco livestock production achieves in a short term period a critical mass of animals complying these standards and to be able to offer differentiated quality beef.

After a public auction put up by the Government of Chaco according to the Program of Agricultural Services for Provinces (PROSAP) which depends of the Secretariat of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Food (SAGPyA), OIA obtained the greatest qualification and was selected among other certifiers to carry out this important process of product certification and differentiation.

The project also includes a training module for Chaco producers, professionals and companies provided by OIA. The purpose of the training is to reach technical concepts of certification, tools to improve the management of agricultural enterprises and other issues of relevance for the province. For that purpose, OIA formed a team of specialists.

An important aspect of the project is that it is developed by the Government of Chaco, represented by the Ministry of Production, which finances the 100% of the certification of the first 200 animals that a producer incorporates to the project, and an 80% of the additonal ones. This benefit has raised interest among producers in that province because this economic incentive would help to open new markets and bring some price stability.

The slaughterhouses are also interested in the project and would problably start negociations with the producers in brief.

To date, OIA has 3,100 heads under certification process, including integrated producers of FECHASORU (Federation of Rural Associations of Chaco), who are adjusting their systems to comply the protocol in this case destined to Hilton Quota. Also, OIA has already provided six training courses to producers in different areas of the province and a workshop to professionals involved with food quality.

The National and Provincial authorities believe that the certification process is clear and easy to apply. Many producers are already complying the requirements; this project represents not only an opportunity to improve their production systems but also a possibility to open new markets and increase their income.

Those producers interested in this project can contact OIA at 011-4793-4340 or e-mail to oia@oia.com.ar