Carolín Leguizamón and Héctor Cristaldo, committed to strengthening small producers and the Paraguayan agroindustry, are recognized by IICA as Leaders of Rurality in the Americas

Asunción, 24 October 2024 (IICA) – Carolín Leguizamón and Héctor Cristaldo, both from Paraguay and with decades of work advocating for small producers and strengthening agroindustry in their country, were recognized as “Leaders of Rurality in the Americas” by the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA).

In recognition of their contributions, Leguizamón and Cristaldo received the “Soul of Rurality” award, part of an initiative by the agency specialized in agricultural and rural development to highlight men and women who leave a mark and make a difference in the rural field of the Americas, which is key for food and nutritional security and the environmental sustainability of the planet.

The award was presented during a ceremony held in Asunción, attended by IICA Director General Manuel Otero and the Representative of the Institute in Paraguay, Gabriel Rodríguez. Former Paraguayan Minister of Agriculture and Livestock Santiago Bertoni was also present.

Carolín Leguizamón has been coordinating initiatives for nearly 30 years aimed at strengthening family farmers and facilitating a more direct relationship between them and consumers, benefiting both parties, in various roles at the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock.

With a degree in Planning and Management of Social Policies from Columbia University in Paraguay and a Master's in Agribusiness Administration, she currently serves as Coordinator of Fairs and Exhibitions for the Ministerial Cabinet.

Cristaldo, for his part, is a producer and businessman in the agricultural sector who has led initiatives for the development and growth of the rural population, as well as the strengthening of the national agroindustry, for over 40 years. He is the president of the Agricultural Coordinator of Paraguay (CAP), head of the Producers’ Association Union (UGP), and vice president of the Institute of Biotechnology (INBIO), positions that reflect his commitment to contribute to the growth of the sector for the benefit of the Paraguayan economy.

The “Leaders of Rurality in the Americas” recognition is awarded by IICA to those who fulfill a double, irreplaceable role: ensuring food and nutritional security while also being guardians of the planet's biodiversity through production in any circumstance. Additionally, the recognition aims to highlight the capacity to promote positive examples for rural areas in the region.

Earlier this year, more than 40 representatives from rural areas in 21 countries in the hemisphere participated in the “First Meeting of Leaders of Rurality in the Americas: Strengthening Rurality through Sustainable, Resilient, and Inclusive Production,” organized by IICA in San José, Costa Rica. At that time, they established a network that began working on specific actions aimed at empowering communities in rural territories, improving the quality of life of their inhabitants, and promoting a sense of belonging among new generations in rural areas.

Collective Work

“I am very excited about this recognition, which does not belong solely to me. It is an award for the teamwork we have done over many years, thanks to the efforts of a group of technicians who are the driving force behind the achievements we have made in the ministry,” said Leguizamón upon receiving the plaque that recognizes her as a Leader of Rurality in the Americas.

Cristaldo also shared the award with those who make the daily effort to strengthen Paraguayan agriculture, especially with the team from UGP, composed of the most representative entities of the national production sector, many of whose representatives attended the ceremony. “They always put their best intelligence into finding solutions to every problem that arises in agricultural activities. I, from my position, just try to articulate and coordinate the work done by each one of you,” he said to the various agricultural actors present.

“There are many ways to define a leader, who is a reference for those who work close to him or her. A rural leader will always move forward, even when it rains or it is cold in the field. The key is to be persistent. Agriculture in the Americas needs leaders who can deepen a transformation that makes it more sustainable, inclusive, and capable of responding to ever-increasing demands,” said Manuel Otero. “Agriculture—he added—is now at the top of the global agenda. And that is a responsibility for everyone, but especially for countries like Paraguay that must produce and export food for the world. For that, good agricultural policies are needed that provide predictability and meaning to producers, who must be at the center of everything.”

Leguizamón has excelled in leading actions designed for family farmers to find new markets and open direct marketing channels, which not only improves their income but also benefits consumers. Thus, she has coordinated and executed various fairs and events at local and national levels that included the aquaculture, dairy, and poultry sectors. She has also contributed to various technical materials for the agricultural sector. She was a driving force behind the AutoMAG Fair, which during the COVID-19 pandemic ensured the delivery of fresh food directly from producers to the tables of Paraguayans, and the Family Farm Products Catalog. Throughout her career, she has received various recognitions for her work in promoting Agricultural Fairs and cookbooks featuring local products.

Cristaldo is an agronomist from the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences of the National University of Asunción and has a Master's in Production and Management from the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. His areas of expertise include seeds, intellectual property, regulations, standards, and laws of the sector, production, biotechnology, livestock, and the environment, among others.

Cristaldo's intense public activity aims for the agricultural sector to consolidate as one of the main drivers of economic growth, job creation, and foreign exchange contribution for Paraguay. His commitment to the productive system is reflected in that, in addition to working at UPG, CAP, and INBIO, he holds positions on the Study and Promulgation Commission of the Agrarian Statute and is a council member of the Paraguayan Institute of Agricultural Technology (IPTA). He is also the President of the Paraguay Product Exchange.

More information:
Institutional Communication Division.
comunicacion.institucional@iica.int
Photos gallery