Family Farming Fairs, a government initiative that brings together small agricultural producers from across Paraguay to Asunción and its surrounding areas, are a popular way for residents of the metropolitan areas to buy fresh produce at Farmers Markets held in various parts of the city on a regular basis.
Typically, the products on offer cover a wide range of food items, such as Paraguayan cheese, pork, chicken and eggs, corn, corn flour, red beans, honey, peanuts, peky butter beans and peky beans. You can also find things like starch, tomatoes, peppers, cassava, sweet potatoes, green vegetables in general, seasonal fruits, grains in general, crafts, flowers and plants, among others.
Whilst the prices can vary, typically they are significantly cheaper than supermarkets, and are often super-fresh.
Dates and locations of upcoming Farmers Markets in Asunción:
Wednesday 5th March: Multiplaza Shopping Mall in Asunción
Thursday 6th March: Agricultural Education Department in San Lorenzo
Wednesday 12th March: Multiplaza Shopping Mall in Asunción
Friday 14th March: Century Plaza Shopping Mall in Lambaré
Tuesday 18th March: Paseo 1811 in Fernando de la Mora
Wednesday 19th March: Multiplaza Shopping Mall in Asunción
Tuesday 25th March: Medalla Milagrosa Church in Fernando de la Mora, and also on the esplanade of Channel 13 in Lambaré
Wednesday 26th March: Multiplaza Shopping Mall in Asunción
Thursday 27th March: Marketing Directorate in, San Lorenzo
Friday 28th March: Century Plaza Shopping Mall in Lambaré
Direct income for farming families
These farmers markets generate direct income for the producers of products sold at the Family Farming Fairs, since they constitute an effective way of entering the marketplace without the need for large infrastructure or significant economies of scale. The producers receive assistance from the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, as well as other institutions dedicated to the sector, international cooperation and the firm support of the public agricultural service, which is responsible for transporting producers from their farms to the sales premises.
A government spokesperson said: “The marketing of family farming products is an important tool for public food policies in our country, which is why it is important to note that the fairs are organised and executed by technicians from the Agricultural Extension Directorate (Deag), which covers 146 districts.”
“All of this is done through the Local Technical Assistance Agency (Alat), made up of 21 Agricultural Development Centers, as well as the Marketing Directorate, which performs the same function and is present in 20 districts.”
Positive impact on the rural economy of many families
Through fairs it is possible to create “synergies” between various public/private institutions and consequently, the activity contributes and positively impacts the rural economy of numerous families, improving their quality of life, according to data from those in charge of these activities.
The Family Farming Fairs held during 2024 in different locations across the country raised more than 76 billion guaraníes, almost 10 million dollars, benefiting 7,520 small producers.
For this year, the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock plans to collect some 100 billion guaraníes by holding 30,000 fairs that would positively impact some 10,000 families grouped in 1,000 small producer organisations, the agricultural portfolio reports.
