After months of work and collaboration, the improvement works in the community honey harvesting and packaging room in Rinconada de Doñihue were successfully completed. The project is part of an agreement between Codelco División El Teniente and the Institute of Agro-Food, Animal and Environmental Sciences of the University of O'Higgins.

The agreement ensured progress in infrastructure and support in the necessary procedures to obtain the Health Resolution for 13 PRODESAL (Local Development Program) honey producers in the commune.

Germán Sandoval, Sustainability and External Affairs Manager at El Teniente, explained that “the challenge is to support honey producers to improve their business. This is an activity that has a history, it has been replicated for generations and it marks the agricultural sector of our country. The progress in this project has been successful, so we are very happy.”

The improvements included painting the premises, as well as the installation of a sewage system and the construction of internal partitions. The infrastructure provides the room with optimal conditions for processing the health permit.

A dream for beekeepers

The project was developed in conjunction with the main honey producers in the sector. “This was a dream and it is becoming a reality. We are grateful because with this, we are about to obtain authorization for the operation of the facilities,” said Luis Iván Jorquera, a beekeeper.

Mabel Bastías, a local beekeeper, added that “this is an important source of work for many people. Codelco has been very important in its conservation. It motivates us a lot to continue with a trade that is in crisis due to climate change.”

Carlos Vásquez, Community Development Supervisor for the Division, explained that “it is important for us to support producers in the area, since we have an ongoing relationship with the Doñihue community. In this case, we support an undertaking that is developed by community actors who are important in the area and allows us to maintain positive community relations.”

In addition, the agreement has promoted training and technical advice, in order to ensure compliance with hygiene regulations and quality standards. With this, producers seek a larger-scale commercialization of the product.