Aligned with our objective of co-creating economic opportunities with our host communities, Pan American developed a project to increase Avocado production in the Condebamba Valley of the Cajabamba province, where our Shahuindo operation is located.

The main objective is to encourage a sustainable source of income for 500 local producers through training to improve productive techniques and by facilitating access to markets.

During its first two years of implementation, several challenges were overcome, such as establishing a permanent water collection system for irrigation and lack of familiarity in cultivating the Hass avocado. To date, the project has achieved the following results:

• 150 producers trained in organizational and commercial skills for the avocado market
• 150 producers trained in avocado production meeting export quality standards
• 90 hectares planted with Hass avocado trees
• 5 seedling nurseries managed by a local company and a women’s group (located at the Shahuindo Mine) 
• 40 hectares of modern irrigation systems installed, including Geotanks

Pan American Silver Peru won the 2021 Sustainable Development Award granted by the National Society of Mining, Petroleum, and Energy for the positive impact of the Avocado project.

The program continues to expand, with new producers joining and new geotanks installed. Pan American Silver Peru plans to achieve the following targets by 2028:

• 500 producers trained in productive management of avocado cultivation
• An additional 30 hectares or more planted with Hass avocado trees
• Technical assistance in developing appropriate agricultural practices