The SENER Foundation, ICLI and FIAD collaborate to strengthen the socio-productive chain of cane sugar in the mountains of Piura (Peru)

The SENER Foundation has signed an agreement with the association Ingeniería para la Cooperación-Lankidetzarako Ingeniaritza (ICLI) and with the civil association Fomento de Investigación y Acción para el Desarrollo (FIAD) of the University of Piura (UDEP) to carry out a project to strengthen the socio-productive chain of granulated panela (cane sugar) in the mountains of Piura (Peru).

The agreement includes support from the SENER Foundation for the literacy of people involved in the granulated panela production chain, for their training and technical assistance in the installation and handling of sugar cane; as well as for training in planning, organization and association. Likewise, a dissemination and awareness program will be carried out for the prevention of domestic violence and the promotion of equality.

The actions that will be carried out as part of the agreement are intended to improve the living conditions of the families producing granulated panela in the Piurana mountain range, one of the most disadvantaged areas of Peru. The lack of knowledge of efficient production technology, the lack of technical assistance and, above all, the limited knowledge of administration, marketing and organization of the producers are the main problems of this productive sector and are reflected in the conditions of poverty of the populations of the area.

Currently, the first tasks have already begun, which have consisted in explaining the project and its phases among the beneficiaries, the producers' associations and local authorities, verifying the plots where the improvements and knowledge will be applied, and finding suppliers for the purchase of sugar cane seeds. Likewise, the selection of the people who will be in charge of the education and training of the people producing granulated panela has been carried out.

As part of the project, and outside the agreement, the SENER Foundation has launched a corporate volunteer program among professionals from the SENER group to study possible technical improvements throughout the production process of granulated panela, such as optimizing the ovens used, efficient and responsible use of natural resources or management of waste resulting from obtaining panela.

The involvement of the SENER Foundation and SENER in this project is another example of the group's commitment to society in terms of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). Since its origins, SENER has been a company committed to its professionals, the environment and society, and seeks to improve its surroundings through engineering, technology and innovation.